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Why are so many tourists in Luxor wary of taking a felluca trip. What are they afraid of? - there are too many negative vibes being handed out by tour operatores - advising tourists that these boats do not carry insurance etc. The "Lonely Planet" book is not helping the tourist industry in Luxor or Aswan. I had first hand experience of seeing a Dutch man handing over LE20 for a one hour trip for himself and his wife - and would not pay more - he said it was the going rate - come on!! who in their right mind would think that a sailing boat can be taken out on the Nile for 1 hour trip for less than €3.00 to include a drink of tea/cola!!!!. Come on tourists pay your proper dues for the most wonderful trip of a lifetime - sailing down the Nile at sunset. Posts: 48 | Registered: Jun 2004
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Sadly, so many of the tour reps need to supplement their wages by selling their own tours. I myself have heard newly arriving tourists told during the coach transfer not to use feluccas, taxis and caleches because they are not insured, and to only use the organised tours offered by the companies. Not only does this mean that some tourists never get a feel for the true Egypt, but they find it extremely expensive to see all the sights they have come to see. And all of the money they pay goes straight into the coffers of the big companies and not into the local economy. Very sad.
Posts: 1196 | From: www.spiritofthenile.com | Registered: Jun 2002
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I have also heard of tourists being told not to visit the West Bank after dark because it wasn't safe and anyway there is nothing there. Which is again the same idea, stopping them meeting ordinary Egyptians and being offered much much cheaper trips and keeping the money in the local economy.
The West Bank has a thriving night life of coffee shops, resturants and cafes. Where the locals hang out smoking shish, playing dominos etc. You can also get beer and wine over here in most of the resturants. The food is wonderful and really fresh. You don't have to worry about refridgeration and storage because they kill it they cook it. All on the same day.
Some tourists are convinced they have 'done Egypt' when all that has happened is they have been escorted on highly expensive tours in a/c coaches and sat around the pool reading books on the country. They should venture out unescorted and really experience the country.
------------------ Jane Akshar UK Co-owner of www.flatsinluxor.co.uk Appartments and Tours in Luxor
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I still remember the advice i was given by the thompson rep on my first visit.
Dont stray off the main roads Dont go on tours other than ours because they arent insured Yadda yadda yadda
The 2nd day we were there we went to a wedding, in the back streets, in the dark with a man we barely knew but who became a good friend.
And with regards to insurance...isnt that what we buy holiday travel insurance for?
I want to go on a felucca on the Nile in Luxor, but after 2 visits, both in August and no wind (until we are on the coach heading back to the airport...grrr) i had to resort to doing the sail in Cairo...
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I have never been on a reps trip in any country i have been to, i don't intend to start now, I don't know about anyone else but i always book the same hotel as 1 or 2 badly behaved ignorant people who make me ashamed to be british, you know the type, you wouldn't want to sit by the pool with them never mind sitting on a coach all day with them constantly moaning that it's too hot, the food is foreign and why don't the locals all speak english No, that's not my idea of a fun day out, using the local tours/guides/transport is a lot better, or i assume it is? I don't mind catching a bus/train or taxi abroad, they are usually more reliable than they are at home anyway Posts: 124 | From: england | Registered: May 2004
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We often think the Felluca and Caleche owners are their own worst enemies. They try to sell their services at a ridiculously low price then negotiate it higher as the day progresses. Why don’t they learn from the Felucca Men on Elephantine Island in Aswan. They are all "fixed price", E£40 an hour. This means the Boat owner gets a reasonable fee for his services and the tourist, who is used to buying "fixed price" understands the cost from the start.
Posts: 119 | From: West Midlands. U.K. | Registered: Aug 2003
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Marketing and economics are not the falouka, calesh, and taxi drivers major areas of study, that is for sure. They could definately use some lessons on how to attract a customer and sell to a customer, but they see their competition being agressive in their approach, and its addictive I guess. Oh well.
I think it is really stinky that the tour leaders do that BS about insurance. I mean, like what is likely to happen? If you are on a holiday to Egypt you need to be somewhat adventurous anyway. If you can't swim, then you maybe shouldn't be on a boat in the Nile anyway. Geez.
The only place I make an issue out of insurance in this country is when advising about the hot air balloon companies. There is only ONE that I know for a fact is well insured and that is the one I recommend, for that reason. I suppose if I were to recommend diving companies it would be the same, and there are a few I would trust to have proper insurance. If anyone is interested in my favorites, contact me.
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I've heard this from "brainwashed by tour rep" tourists in Luxor and as Shareen said above - on the coach from Luxor airport into town.
"dont use a felucca, dont wander into the backstreets, dont ride a Caleche and dont sit up front and hold the reins". (always wanted to do that).
On chatting with fellow tourists I have said how safe it is to go on a felucca and advised a price for them. Mind you, it takes me a while to shuffle up the narrow gangplank. Then again, you should see me walking onto a Nile Cruise. I usually grab the person in front's shirt tails and shuffle behind them. But on the Ra2 there's no problem walking across it, is there Shareen?
I came across one couple who paid LE100 for a 1 hour sunset felucca trip. At that time it worked out the equivalent of £12.50 which I think was too much.
I always attend the tour rep's "welcome meeting" but never hear anything of any use. Alough I'm a regular visitor I still think it may be worthwhile to attend and listen. The rep didnt offer much general information apart from their overpriced trips. I wanted to take over and talk to the masses.
She never explained or gave examples of the exchange rate although we heard it on the coach from the airport but most of us were too tired to listen. It should have been repeated at the welcome meeting as this is when tourists pay great attention and sit down and take notes.
I hate it when (in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco) the tour rep says "if you happen to have a bottle of whisky on you, it could get you a better deal when bartering". My blood boils at this.
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On my second trip to Luxor i again went to the tour reps meet and greet at a very posh hotel where one rep stood there and said 'we are not allowed to recommend any shops but several of tourists got a good deal on gold at ****'s shop on the corniche'
quote:Originally posted by wise_woman: But on the Ra2 there's no problem walking across it, is there Shareen?
I always attend the tour rep's "welcome meeting" but never hear anything of any use. Alough I'm a regular visitor I still think it may be worthwhile to attend and listen. The rep didnt offer much general information apart from their overpriced trips. I wanted to take over and talk to the masses.
She never explained or gave examples of the exchange rate although we heard it on the coach from the airport but most of us were too tired to listen. It should have been repeated at the welcome meeting as this is when tourists pay great attention and sit down and take notes.
I hate it when (in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco) the tour rep says "if you happen to have a bottle of whisky on you, it could get you a better deal when bartering". My blood boils at this.
One day I will be able to afford the Ra2 again... done it twice and would love to do it again! Having said that... its docking place isnt exactly central for everything. I have even been tempted to try to climb the wall into the Sheraton grounds for a g & t, not very elegant though is it? lol
I havent been to a reps meeting since my first couple of trips, they just annoy me with their recommendations and do's and dont's. I realise they make their money selling excursions, but do they really have to be so negative about anyone going it alone? They often make first timers very nervous and worried about doing anything without a rep at hand, and then they miss out on so many wonderful experiences.
Oh and WW..... its fun to hold the reins!!
Ok, signing off now.... see you all when I get back!!
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No, that's not my idea of a fun day out, using the local tours/guides/transport is a lot better, or i assume it is? I don't mind catching a bus/train or taxi abroad, they are usually more reliable than they are at home anyway 
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