Tour operators continue to offer Jordan and Egypt despite Gaza crisis
IAN STALKER
Tour operators are continuing to offer Jordan and Egypt while acknowledging that the ongoing fighting in Gaza is making some travellers leery about the Middle East at this time.
But those same tour operators are insistent that both Egypt and Jordan remain safe for tourists, even if the Gaza crisis has cut into their bookings for those countries.
“All travel we have arranged for clients in Egypt and Jordan is continuing as normal,” says Sally Mikhail of GMTours. “While we are holding off selling Lebanon, we believe that Egypt and Jordan continue to be safe destinations to visit.
“Jordan, being further from regional unrest, remains at a Level 2 (government) advisory, which is a common category for many regions globally. Most of GMTours tours throughout Jordan continue to operate as scheduled, and visitors can visit all highlights, such as Petra, the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, the capital city Amman, Madaba and Karek.”
GMTours is operating FIT programs and has been sending a few groups to Jordan and Egypt. “Everyone enjoyed their time and everyone returned safe,” Mikhail reports.
Mikhail says her company’s trips don’t approach the Gaza border. “We take this issue very seriously and if we find any uncertain issue for safety we cancel it (the trip),” she adds.
“Our land operation staff work constantly to ensure safety for our clients. In the past 25 year we have never included any programs close to Gaza border or the surrounding area.
“We pray for peace and prosperity for Middle East and hope the war will end soon for everyone.”
Renata Snidr of NARAT says there’s no question that the fighting in Gaza has curtailed travel to the region.
“Demand for NARAT’s Egypt and Jordan product is visibly impacted by the Middle East conflict,” she reports. “The most affected products are the Biblical tours that connect Egypt and Jordan with Israel.
“The safety of travellers on NARAT tours is always paramount. NARAT has been consistently monitoring the current conflict with its on-ground partners and have assessed that there is no immediate critical risk to its current operated tours. Often, public perception, influenced by the media, is more detrimental than an existing situation. NARAT possesses a comprehensive safety framework attached to its tour operations in the Middle East region that has been in place for several years. We operated the largest tour group from North America, immediately following the 2011 Egypt Revolution, without any issue, when all tourist sites were practically empty. There were no issues at all encountered. Of course we avoid any tours going to high-risk areas, such as Egypt’s Northern Sinai, which was a policy in place before the current conflict.”
Snidr says travellers heading to Jordan or Egypt “should exercise the same degree of caution that had been advised in travelling to Jordan and Egypt before the conflict. The main tourist locations of both Egypt and Jordan are considered safe for travel. I would add as well that the tourism industry amounts to a significant portion of these countries’ economic income. By avoiding travel, the local population in Egypt and Jordan are adversely affected.”
Ashley Blake of U.S. tour operator Traverse Journeys — which offers Jordan — says the country “is renowned for being one of the safest countries in the Middle East. Its people are known for their hospitality and warmth towards visitors.
“Jordan is fully open for tourism. Itineraries and routes are unaffected and flights are operating normally. The Jordan Tourism Board and government also stand behind the safety of its visitors. Jordan depends on tourism, especially sustainable tourism. Families along Jordan’s Meaningful Travel Map include women’s cooperatives, local guides, drivers, chefs and accommodation owners whose livelihoods are sustained by mindful travellers.
“With its mesmerizing ancient ruins, breathtaking landscapes, and incredibly hospitable people, there’s just something so magical about Jordan. But, like any savvy traveler, you might have some questions or even concerns. One common hesitation we hear is: ‘Is Jordan a safe destination?’ We understand these concerns, which is why we’re here to provide clarity and reassurance.”
Supporting local Jordanians also indirectly supports refugees and displaced people, as Jordan has the second highest per capita of refugees in the world, Blake adds.
Traverse Journeys has a curated list of books about Jordan that offer insights into the country’s history, Bedouin culture, and traditions. “Gaining this knowledge before your trip can enhance your experience and connection with the places you’ll visit,” Blake continues.
Meanwhile, Goway Travel held a recent Egypt fam aimed at reassuring people the country remains safe.
“Upon arriving at Cairo Airport, I received a warm welcome from our local representative,” said the tour operator’s Renee Stanton-Defaria, who led the trip. “From that moment onward, my mind was put at ease as the warmth and hospitality of the people shown through every step of the journey. Egypt is undeniably a safe country, and the locals are earnestly seeking peace. At no point did I feel unsafe during my visit. I highly recommend advising your clients to consider booking a trip to Egypt at this very moment. Not only are there fewer crowds, but the US dollar-to-Egyptian-pounds exchange rate is currently at an all-time high, making the vacation exceptionally great value.”
Goway also held a December Jordan fam, which had participants stating that the country remains open for tourists and also remains quiet despite regional tension.
