posted
Is it really true that since the war that the tourist industry in Luxor has changed and is basically driven purely for the Nile cruises. Are people afraid of the locals - I feel it is so very sad that many countries are afraid of Muslims. I have travelled the world and find the people in Egypt the most friendly in the world - particularly Luxor.
Posts: 57 | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I came and lived in Luxor for 6 months a couple of weeks after September 11th. The first thing I noticed was a dramatic drop in tourism, sometimed it felt like I was the only foreigner walking down the street but then it was like that for a lot of destination with people being afraid to travel. I am not in business in Luxor but have noticed a huge difference in the number of tourists in comparison to a couple of years ago - for the better! In that time two new hotels have opened on the East Bank, Sofitel Karnak and Le Meridian and Al Moudira on the West Bank which is a good sign that it is not just the Nile Cruises that are doing well. I disagree that Luxor in geared to Nile Cruises but then I don't have any statistics.
I also don't believe that the tourists are afraid of the locals. I think the majority have an enjoyable, memorable time and I often see foreigners socialising with the locals. Of course there will always be some tourists that are afraid of the differences they find in Luxor, possibly because they don't understand them but then maybe they needed to research and read about the place before they visited! Sometimes the hassle can be offputting for those that don't know how to handle it. Of course, some tourists don't want to mix with the locals. They just want to go on organised tours of the historical monuments and use the hotel facilities and go home relaxed! That is fine too! In regards to Islamaphobia I think that if you were (islamaphobic), you probably wouldn't visit a country where the majority is Muslim.
posted
We were in Luxor Sepember 18th 2001, 6 days after September 11th ..... We were treated so nice, no one was nasty or horrible to us there were tourists about all over the place. I will be going back soon (8 weeks, 3 days, ... Not that I am counting!) and I am in no way feeling concerned about my safety, The people of Egypt as a whole are such a nice nation of people, If I was even the slightest bit worried about our safety, I would not be taking my 14 year old son with me. When we were there in 2001 I had no problem going out for a walk on my own (hubby tired from all the trips!) at any time of day or night ... Some nights I would take a walk around the town at 11pm on my own and not once did I feel 'unsafe' .. I would not do that in UK! We of course had people in our hotel who would not go out the front door if they were not in an organised trip.... Sad realy as they never got to see what I would call the real Egtpt! I loved the place .. that's why I am going back! Joanne
Posts: 42 | From: isle of man uk | Registered: Nov 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
My first trip to Luxor was in the summer of 1998, I was one of the first tourists from the UK to be allowed back after the Hatshepsut incident. And boy, was it quiet then. I did a cruise and they combined 2 tour companies onto one boat, and there were still only 30 of us. But the welcome we received was second to none. Cairo was amazing and I have never felt so safe in my life. Everyone was delighted to have the tourists back. Over the last 6 years I have seen a steady increase in the number of tourists visiting Luxor, apart from a slight hiccup after Sept 11th. I have seen many people who only want the hotels and organised trips, but many more who love to interact with the locals and are only too happy to wander about freely and enjoy the egyptian hospitality. I always tell my friends who are going for the first time, you will either love it or hate it. There is no inbetween. Lol, personally I love it...... I was there in March, my next trip is in July, I will be back for New Year and I am currently planning on bringing some first timers with me next March. Jane! Get ready for a great 50th birthday bash!!!!!
But I guess in answer to Akhenaten's original question, yes I think over the last 6 years the tourist industry has changed and I think many more people are taking the cruises as opposed to hotel based holidays mainly due to the favourable costs of taking a cruise.
quote:Originally posted by Shareen: I am currently planning on bringing some first timers with me next March. Jane! Get ready for a great 50th birthday bash!!!!!
I am putting my liver in training now lol
------------------ Jane Akshar UK Co-owner of www.flatsinluxor.co.uk Appartments and Tours in Luxor
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic