Tourism in Egypt ground to a halt during the revolution. Now, 2 months after the Egyptian people swept Mubarak from power, the country is once again open for business. As Egypt tries to woo back tourists, prices have dropped substantially, turning a trip to see the pyramids into a tempting bargain. But is it safe?
Gadling spoke with several tour operators in the region and came away with the impression that yes, Egypt is now safe for tourists again. For example, Abercrombie and Kent told them that “the situation has improved dramatically in recent weeks. The U.S. State Department has softened its Travel Warning and both the French and the British have updated their cautions. Airports and financial institutions are functioning normally and popular tourist sites are open – and remarkably free of visitors. Beyond that, Egyptians are relishing their new-found freedom and a sense of optimism is palpable wherever you go…With a stable political situation, crowd-free sites and a newly energized people, this is the moment to experience Egypt.”
However, the US State Department does still have a travel warning out for Egypt. While they aren’t advising US citizens to halt travel to the country altogether, they do advise being cautious and alert:
“Elements of the Egyptian government responsible for ensuring security and public safety are not fully reconstituted and are still in the process of being reorganized. Until the redeployment of Egyptian civilian police is fully restored, police response to emergency requests for assistance or reports of crime may be delayed…The security situation in Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea Resorts, including Sharm el Sheikh, is calm; however, the situation across Egypt remains unpredictable and subject to change. Travelers should remain in contact with their tour operators.”
Is it safe to visit Egypt? The ultimate answer to that question depends on your personal tolerance for risk, but you can minimize your personal risk by planning ahead, using a reputable tour operator and registering with the Department of State via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
If you decide to go, you’ll need an Egyptian visa. If you are entering by land, you should apply for your visa in advance and have it before you leave the US. If you’re flying in, you can apply on arrival. However, you also have the option of applying in advance, and if you do, you’ll be able to leave the airport faster.
To apply for an Egyptian visa, the following documents are required:
- A valid US passport.
- A passport photo.
- Plane tickets or a copy of your itinerary
- A completed Egyptian visa application.
RushMyTravelVisa can help speed up the Egyptian visa application process and make it simpler for you. We’ll walk you through the paperwork and expedite it with the Egyptian Embassy for the fastest possible processing.
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Tags: Egypt, Egypt visa, Egyptian visa, travel warning
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