Anatolia Tours and Travel

Slowly but surely after the 25^th of January revolution life is getting back to normal.

Two days ago, the first transparent referendum took place in Egypt since almost 60 years. Egyptians had to vote “Yes” or “No” for amending certain articles in the constitution which will allow the election of a new Parliament & a new Senate within 6 months and a President for the Republic before the end of 2011.

This amendment will also limit the terms of presidency to 2 each for 4 years.

The new elected Parliament & Senate will nominate a Committee to draft a new constitution since the present 1971 constitution and its amendment will be considered void and null. There was an unprecedented number of Egyptians voting and the votes where 70% in favor & 30% against.

The very much feared Investigation Police was abolished and replaced by a New Department which will deal only with criminals & State security.

The Stock Exchange is reopening tomorrow; the Egyptian Pound did not lose much in value vis-à-vis to the foreign currencies.

All historical Monuments are now accessible to the public and some Nile Cruises started operation between Luxor & Aswan. The ban on travel to Egypt was removed from many countries to its many entries in Egypt and is on its way for total removal from the entire country.

It was announced that yesterday 57 charter flights have landed in Hurghada & 43 in Sharm El Sheikh. This is not yet the normal rate, yet it is a very good sign for the Travel Industry. Tour operators specialised in Middle East & Mediterranean including Anatolia Tours & Travels started accepting tour bookings to Egypt.

All museums and historical sites which had been closed since the civil uprising started in January are now reopened , European countries lifted the travel warning against non-essential travel to Egypt and the respective leading tour operators are resuming their holiday offerings including rebooking of packages that were cancelled during the unrest. 

Al-Masry Al-Youm news agency reported on Monday. U.S. media host Oprah Winfrey is among the stars who have been invited over, in a bid to restore Egypt’s reputation as a tourist destination. The Minister made the announcement during a press conference on Saturday, which was also attended by Mr. Hussein Massoud, CEO of EgyptAir Holding Company, and Mr. Amr al-Ezabi, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Authority. 

• The Foreign Ministry of Holland announced the lifting of its advisory against travelling to Egypt.
• The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had dropped its recommendation for Ukrainians not to visit the Egyptian resort cities of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.
• On February 28th the Spanish Foreign Ministry lifted its travel advice against travelling to Sharm el Sheikh, Luxor & Aswan.
• The Austrian Foreign Ministry has lifted its travel advisory against travelling to Luxor, Aswan and the Nile.
• The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the lifting of its advisory against travelling to Egypt.
• The Belgian Foreign Ministry announced the lifting of its advisory against travelling to Egypt.
• The Japanese Government has downgraded its travel advisory to Egypt from level 3 (do not travel) to level 2 (consider travelling) except for Sinai Peninsula, Red Sea and the Suez.
• The Danish Foreign Ministry no longer advises against travelling to Egypt.