Egypt and ABD - maybe there's hope

[roomthreeseventeen]

It looks like Mubarak has officially stepped down and left the army in charge of Egypt, with a hope of democracy on the way.

Good news for Egypt, and maybe for Disney? Perhaps they were a little premature in cancelling the ABD trips?

 

[mikelan6]

Egypt's future is still uncertain. I wouldn't go to Egypt any time soon.

 

[sayhello]

Abercrombie & Kent and Tauck (big tour companies) both recently canceled their Egypt tours for the next few months. I don't think anyone will be going to Egypt until they're certain that things have returned to a peaceful, stable state.

Sayhello

 

[LilyWDW]

It looks like Mubarak has officially stepped down and left the army in charge of Egypt, with a hope of democracy on the way.

Good news for Egypt, and maybe for Disney? Perhaps they were a little premature in cancelling the ABD trips?

Never premature.

Even with Mubarak stepping down, Egypt is still very far from stable. It will most likely be a decent amount of time before the area is considered "safe". Not to get political, but, while this is a big step, there will still be a lot of issues that will need to be worked through and I am sure there will still be protests. Egypt is still in a very delicate state.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Egypt is still in a very delicate state.

True. I was just pointing out that today's events are GOOD news for everyone.

 

[disneyholic family]

True. I was just pointing out that today's events are GOOD news for everyone.

not everyone

 

[DisneyKevin]

Folks,

Dis Board policies state that there are to be no political discussions.

As Adventures by Disney has scheduled and canceled trips to Egypt, discussion of the situation is being allowed in that it can and does directly affect people traveling to the region.

Please limit the discussion of the events happening in Egypt to how this will impact those that have already booked this Adventure or are looking to book it in the future.

Thanks.

 

[sjsjbrook]

I feel bad for Egypt this has totally affected the tourism industry.

 

[kaligal]

Although I am sure the State Department would advise against it...and I'm sure no tour group will go near it...you can go to Egypt. Nobody will stop you. If you really want to go and think it is safe - go!

 

[sayhello]

Although I am sure the State Department would advise against it...and I'm sure no tour group will go near it...you can go to Egypt. Nobody will stop you. If you really want to go and think it is safe - go!

Yes, but right now, it's going to be hard to get a tour company to take you. And most people take a tour to Egypt these days. What with all the armed guards with every tour group and all, I know I'd never go traveling around Egypt on my own. Hopefully, that may all change in the future, but it's how things were before all this started.

Sayhello

 

[challer]

I will not be going because no matter what happens in the Egyptian government, I am still considered less than an equal in its society - possibly even less than a human being. I am still a member of a group that is demonized and hated in that country by all classes of citizens. A 2010 Pew Poll confirmed that 95 percent of Egyptians hold negative views about me. Years of officially sanctioned hatred combined with societal advocacy of this hatred toward me will not disappear with a change in regime. I can hope for change in the future, but the end of a despot's rule doesn't immediately change the nature of its society.

Pete criticized DCL for its stop in Tunisia. There are many similar issues that will come up in Egypt - possibly more intense and more dangerous. If you decide to give it a try, proceed with extreme caution and consider if the benefits outweigh the risks.

 

[challer]

Yes, but right now, it's going to be hard to get a tour company to take you. And most people take a tour to Egypt these days. What with all the armed guards with every tour group and all, I know I'd never go traveling around Egypt on my own. Hopefully, that may all change in the future, but it's how things were before all this started.

My inlaws were on a tour in Egypt when the uprising began. It was a tour run by a previously reputable company. The itinerary had them returning to Cairo for the weekend - all their bags and belongings that were not needed on a Nile cruise were left in Cairo. Instead of returning into Cairo, the tour bus took them to a hotel outside of the center of Cairo - near the airport. The tour guide said he would try to get their belongings from the previous hotel, and would try to get them a flight out of Egypt as soon as possible. He left them and was never seen again. The phone number for the tour company wasn't picking up.

The tour group (at least 6 Americans and 1 Israeli) were abandoned in this hotel. The American Embassy was not able to help (they did not know the internet was shut down!). If it weren't for the Israeli passport, these people would have been left in the airport for another week like the other Americans there. (There was unofficial, emergency flight from Cairo to Tel Aviv that evacuated Israelis, but they were willing to take the American family members along - which is the opposite of US State Department policy.) My mother-in-law still occasionally will burst into tears after the ordeal she went through. While they have come to grips with the reality that their belongings are never going to be returned (mostly clothes, minimal jewelry, and an iPhone), they are just happy to have left with their lives.

Remember, just because you are on an official tour - even Disney - you must consider the neighborhood you are visiting.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder that political conversations are no longer acceptable according to DIS posting guidelines. I am going to close this thread as a result.