Russian experts, who are carrying out a current inspection visit at the Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh airports scheduled to end on Monday, have confirmed that security measures at Egyptian airports are no less than those applied at Russian and European airports, sources with the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry said.
The security devices used at Egyptian airports are the latest in the world of airports, according to the delegation of experts.
The delegation said that they would file a detailed report on the latest developments in the Egyptian airports’ security after their return to Moscow, stressing that their reports are indicative, but the decision on whether to resume direct flights between Russian cities and tourist resorts in Egypt is up to the Russian political leadership, the sources added.
Russian tourists are keen to return to Egyptian resorts because of its warm weather and suitability for the low income levels of a large segment of Russian citizens compared to other countries, along with the demand of Russian travel agencies in this regard, according to the same sources.
Natalia Rodchenkova, marketing manager at the Ostrovok online hotel booking service, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the bookings of Russian tourists for hotels in Egypt in 2018 increased by 2.2 percent compared to 2017. The rate is expected to increase during 2019 even with the absence of direct flights to the Egyptian tourist cities, she added.
“A large number of Russians have traveled to resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada through Israel and Turkey; that’s why the New Year’s prices have increased by 10 percent, but the cost is still much cheaper compared to many countries like Thailand,” said Janis Denis, director of public relations at Aviasales. Russians are still looking for the easiest way to reach Egypt, he added.
Russian tourists who cannot afford to travel to exotic destinations are waiting to go to Egypt because there are no other options available for their holidays, said Eugene Ginsberg, marketing manager at Thor travel agency.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
