Travel Alert Continues for Egypt: Election Upheaval, Civil Unrest

(Dive Travel Business News - January 2, 2012) -- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Egypt, except for Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and the main tourist centres of Luxor and Aswan, due to the unpredictable security situation and continuing demonstrations throughout the country.

RED SEA RESORTS: Travelers should exercise a high level of personal security awareness at all times when travelling to Red Sea coastal resorts such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada and to the Upper Egypt cities of Luxor and Aswan. Major tourist sites have remained open and travellers are returning. However, the police presence is noticeably reduced and response to emergencies affecting travellers will be limited.

AVOID CAIRO:  It is strongly recommended that travelers fly to resort areas directly rather than transiting through Cairo. Road travel is not recommended and there have been reports of unsanctioned roadblocks.

UPPER EGYPT/NILE VALLEY: Tourists visiting Upper Egypt and the historic sites of the Nile Valley should pay particular attention to local conditions. Although tourist sites continue to operate, the Upper Nile Valley between Beni Suef and Aswan has seen a greater incidence of strikes, road blockages and civil unrest than the coastal resorts.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade advises against all travel to the Sinai Peninsula. The security situation in the North Sinai and in the areas bordering Israel and the Gaza Strip remains tenuous. The Egyptian military commenced activities in the area in mid-August 2011 to search for insurgents. There have been incidents of gunfights and attacks on police stations by well-armed groups. In addition, rockets originating in the Gaza Strip fell in Egyptian territory in mid-August. This area has also been used to stage terrorist attacks in Israel.

Road blockades by unsanctioned groups as well as robberies and carjackings by armed groups have been reported in many areas of the Sinai. Travelers visiting coastal resorts are encouraged to arrive and depart by air. 

ELECTIONS: Civil unrest and demonstrations have been occurring in many parts of Egypt since late January 2011. Although most tourist sites are open, the situation across Egypt remains unpredictable and less consistently safe than it was before the events of January 2011. There is a potential for rapid escalation into violence where large groups of people are assembled.

Elections for both the Parliament and the Shoura Council are scheduled to take place in Egypt from November 2011 to March 2012. Heightened security measures may be in place and the potential for unrest and violence is high in the period surrounding the elections, particularly on voting dates and in the vicinity of polling stations.

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