[Closed] Would you go to Sharm now?

Probably the safest place to go (not that I'd ever want to go there anyway)

Absolutely yes, I'd go tomorrow.

I would no problem.

Went a few years ago when the north of Egypt was a little bit tasty, and there were a few armed checkpoints around in Sharm. There's a lot of desert in between things out there and I felt in no danger at all.

Yes - security at is highest.

What's the riding like there?

I'd go

Yes - security at is highest.

In visual deterrence terms yes, but in terms of effectiveness unproven. Most 3rd world countries have highly under trained, under paid and under motivated security services who just hang around looking bored, which isn't the same as being effective.

The only airport with really impressive security, I've travelled through, is Ben Gurion in Israel.

Sounds nice, but a bloody long drive at the moment

No, I would not. Plenty of other, safer places to go. No holiday is worth risking your families life for. Family holidays are meant to be a time to relax, I would be constantly nervous there. Aside form the risk aspect, I think you would probably find a pretty awful atmosphere.

Id not want to take my kids tbh, Im sure there must be other nice sunny places to visit?

threat of being blown up aside
not sure Id want to go there and support a brutal military dictator anyway?

The only airport with really impressive security, I've travelled through, is Ben Gurion in Israel.

then you may enjoy this article (from the former head of security at Ben Gurion)

i thought it was fascinating

http://www.cracked.com/blog/7-reasons-tsa-sucks-a-security-experts-perspective/

nopes.

Wouldn't have gone before and certainly not now.

Be nice and cheap that's for sure. How do you get there though? Punctured inflatable raft to Syria and walk from there?

not a chance, why take the risk?

If the UK government think the security situation is bad enough to warrant suspending all flights, then it must be pretty bad.

I wouldnt have gone 6 months ago though, as I felt it was too risky back then.

Yes - security at is highest.

well, there's loads of bored soldiers and cops listlessly sat around in lean-to sheds half heartedly running road blocks and occasionally waving a-mirror-on-a-stick in the general direction of passing vehicles. Highly visible and an obvious attempt at re-assurance* and more inconvenient than effective was my impression.

Only been there for the diving, and next time it'll be on a live-aboard as Sharm is like a tacky Spanish beach resort except with more Russian prostitutes*.

*Used to be primarily Italian tourists, they stopped going after the last set of bombings, the Sharm tourist board discovered the booming Russian economy and made that it's biggest market, and along with the tourist dollar came the organised crime. Walking around Naama bay every second girl was a scantily clad young Russian with a burly minder walking half a dozen paces behind.

What for?

There are so many places in the world I can go so why should I go there?

What's there to see? Sand? More Sand? Camels? Pyramid rock?

My hometown is 10x nicer than there ... we have white island sandy beaches, good food, jungle, insects and plenty of terrorists to kidnap tourists from neighbouring countries so what do they have that we don't?

Oh ya ... as for the airport security that's something waiting to happen and it will happen again.

🙄

wouldn't want to go anywhere that puts money into the pockets of the Egyptian military before the revolt of a couple of years ago, my feelings haven't changed significantly since.

No. As per @chaka and @julians I wouldn't have gone before and wouldn't go now

As per various reports from UK tourists there was very limited security there. There is a full on terrorist insurgency in Siani (bombs, guns attacks, shooting down helicopters and even firing anti-tank rockets at ships) and from what I understand tourist numbers at the Pyramids are also way way down following attacks there some months ago.

I feel sorry for the Epytians working there but they should ask their government why security was so lax. Prevention is easier and cheaper than a cure.

One of my team is stuck in Sharm at the moment (meant to fly out tomorrow). They have had no news there that flights are currently stopped. Just looking at alternatives at getting them back.

I'd go back to Sharm I wouldn't go back to Israel. My passport has too many stamps from other middle eastern countries - got a 2hr grilling from the Israel security service idiots last time I was leaving.

then you may enjoy this article (from the former head of security at Ben Gurion)

Have to say I agree, the laxest security I've ever experienced has been in the US, boarded a flight to LHR having not had my hand luggage screened only a few months back.

Although the guy is lying through his teeth!

At Ben Gurion Airport, we get travelers from their car to their gate in 25 minutes. When was the last time that happened to you in an American airport?

In my experience about 3-4 hours waiting in various lines for various re-scans or re-interviews (although you can pay extra for an express service).

tonyg2003 - Member
I'd go back to Sharm I wouldn't go back to Israel.

I would go to Israel but not to Sharm.

At least I know the Israeli army will do their job properly.

🙄

then you may enjoy this article (from the former head of security at Ben Gurion)

If every airport was like Ben Gurion flying would be even more of a pain in the arse than it is now. When it gets to the point where they are going through your email and phone contacts before they let you through it becomes a little invasive. It's the old nothing to hide then no problem argument, but they are particularly heavy handed and paranoid IMO.

At Ben Gurion Airport, we get travelers from their car to their gate in 25 minutes

yeah right

I'd happily go there. Wouldn't be my first choice Red Sea resort as its a bit European and bland but the diving is very good once you get a little way out to sea. I suspect it will be a bit empty, which might actually make it nicer. Getting there should be easy enough. There's a regular bus from Cairo or a high speed ferry from Hurghada, although if you are doing that then I'd go to another town in Egypt.

If the Egyptians had 10% of the security the Israelis do it wouldn't have been possible to put a bomb on the Russian plane. If you have an Isreali stamp in your passport many other Middle Eastern countries won't let you in at all, so a few hours in Ben Gurion answering questions isn't so bad.

The terrorists are deliberately trying to disrupt tourism. Tourists are a target.

but they are particularly heavy handed and paranoid IMO.

I can understand the paranoia as pretty much everyone in the region wants to kill then all, but they reap what they sow!

In the context that I believe the thread was intended i.e. If you had already planned to go there would you? Then my answer would be yes. The London bombings didn't stop people going to London, same with 9-11, never used to stop people back in the 70's when the IRA were active so why would it stop people now? History shows few places are are attacked following large media exposure of the initial attack (I discount places like Belfast and Baghdad as these are or were almost civil war zones, not terrorist targeted areas)

i woulnt go again under any circumstances. total sh1thole. tackiest, unfriendliest place ive ever been on holiday.

shopkeepers shouting at you for not going in their shops, my then 14yo lad and his mate got locked in a shop and tried to have drugs pushed on them....

didnt feel comfortable the whole week and couldnt wait to get back home. id rather go to blackpool and thats saying somethings. should have done our homework a bit better instead of thinking ooh thats a good price for a bit of winter sun 😀

No, but then I wouldn't have went there before this latest incident.

If you're going for diving, get a liveaboard out of hurghada, if you want cheap sun then Croatia

It's a bit crass that place so No from me.
Don't see the appeal for blobbing on a lilo in a puddle with screaming kids creating havoc all around. Then theres the mad chaotic rush for supper and queues of roaring families to contend with, then theres the open encasement bars with rowdy patronising tourists marauding and being all lairy like.
Then theres the constant noise from the Airport to contend with.

I've been to many places in Egypt, mainly for windsurfing, and theres a whole lot of that country I really like, a whole load of people I really like. I helped build a venue for windsurfing near a military base and yes we were subject to both bribes and harassment by them, but that was easy to control, tourists from the Frozen North were far worse in comparison.

As for the current political turmoil, even if this calmed down the answer would be No.

Southern Sinai Yes.

The killings in Tunisia seemed to me an attempt by Isis/Taliban/Rebels/Brotherhood/extremists (call them what you will) to destroy the tourist trade and deprive the Tunisian government of a significant part of their economy.

There's a lot of unrest in Egypt and the Sinai peninsular has been insulated from this in an attempt to maintain the tourist economy. I'd been expecting an attack like this, with the purpose of killing the tourist trade. Which is why we didn't go windsurfing in Dahab or Moon Beach this autumn.

I don't think it's particularly wise to go to any country where there's a civil war going on away from the beaches.

I wouldn't go before the plane bombing and not now either. Not the first terrorist activity there and certainly won't be the last. Conscript army with many who don't want to be there aren't going to much to protect those they are supposed to.
Turkey is seeing a rise in terrorism and won't be long before tourism is targeted along with the Kurds.

I'd rather go to Cham than sharm!!

craigxxl - Member
Turkey is seeing a rise in terrorism and won't be long before tourism is targeted along with the Kurds.

Going to Turkey for holiday what for?

What to see?
What is so interesting there?

Why not? Probably some good deals right now.

Have they [u]concluded[/u] whether it was an IS bomb, or all conjecture still?

mikertroid - Member

Why not? Probably some good deals right now.

Have they concluded whether it was an IS bomb, or all conjecture still?

You go but it ain't happening for me ... nothing special at all.

It's definitely a bomb IMO.

Security in that region is not top of the priority ...

You take your chances.

No, but it's been on my list of places to avoid for a while now.

Not saying I'd go on holiday there (who would dream of a holiday in the ME anyway?!) but I can't see this crash being a reason to cancel a booked holiday.

mikertroid - Member

Not saying I'd go on holiday there (who would dream of a holiday in the ME anyway?!) but I can't see this crash being a reason to cancel a booked holiday.

Well, it's definitely going to be cheap from now on coz [b]it will be off season for a long time[/b] ... 🙂

The question is how long will the problem last ...

I've been, there's nothing special about it and no reason to ever go back, even if it got cheap (which it isn't). Very artificial, no antiquities, security is superficial at best - a bunch of motivated nutters would run riot if they wanted to, it's only a matter of time. Also it was full of Russians of the worst sort, but I guess that won't be such a problem now. It's tempting to feel a bit sorry for the locals (the place was struggling before) but most of them migrate in from Cairo and so will just head back there.

Going to Turkey for holiday what for?

What to see?
What is so interesting there?

https://cycleactive.com/index.php/mtb-tours/asia-pacific/turkey

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/terrific-week-in-cappadocia-turkey-with-cycleactive

With the global jihad gathering pace I don't see any reason to visit islamic countries.

The question is how long will the problem last

until someone gives Binners 'the button'...

wonder what the view is on SingleTrackRussia?

[quote=mike_p said] a bunch of motivated nutters would run riot if they wanted to, it's only a matter of time.

Bin done

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Sharm_el-Sheikh_attacks

I wouldn't really want to go there before

Is there any Zoos there what about Steam Engines, Sea Life places or a theme park? There just seems to beaches and ruins according to the articles.

Yes I would still go.

Going to Turkey for holiday what for?

What to see?
What is so interesting there?

You've never been to Istanbul have you 😆

I would not go. I wouldn't have gone last week / month / year.

I used to live and work there.

You would see security in the form of bored police / army chaps at checkpoints and in jeeps or in hotel lobby's.

But I would not see any between my house in a nearby village and town. Or between town and the desert. All the staff come from local villages, they don't look any different to terrorists and they are locals. The locals have for years and years fought and hated the government.

You cant tell the difference between a Sunni or a Shia, so I don't think an under paid security guard can do anything.

The tourist industry is a prime target for disgruntled locals / terrorists etc.

The backup, security, surveillance and hospitals are third world.

Not worth the risk.

No, but that's mostly because I've been there before and it wasn't very nice.

I really don't want to spend my holiday chucking up again.
If I can't drink out of the tap,I'm not going there.

I'm one of the folks currently stuck in Sharm (well, not quite stuck yet as we're not due to fly back until tomorrow evening anyway) and I'd certainly consider coming back. The 9/11 bombings did stop me going to the USA.

Going to Turkey for holiday what for?

Many beach resorts, great sailing around Bodrum, etc plus all the culture in Istanbull, history at Gallipoli

Evening. Would I go to Egypt now? Yes. Would I take children?

NO. You have a duty of care, not 'its a cheap break, why not risk can't be that bad'.

Proper systems/upgraded security can't be upgraded overnight. Give it more like 6months.

Last week a group of German tourists were stabbed in Morocco.

Nope and wouldnt before recent events, also wouldnt go to Turkey again.

Now? I wouldn't have gone there before.

ViceNews piece today. [url= https://news.vice.com/article/heres-what-we-know-about-the-plane-that-the-islamic-state-says-it-took-down-in-egypt ]link[/url]

Nothing particularly illuminating. Airport closure / bomb etc not front large news today in Egypt, airport chief quietly removed / "promoted" according to Egyptians

Not sure why anyone who is obviously visually western would risk going to any of the middle eastern/Islamic tourist destinations, TBH. I'm well aware that it's only a tiny majority of Muslims that would consider harming westerners, but I expect there's a larger silent percentage who just wouldn't try that hard to stop them. Anywhere with barely controlled land borders to PROPERLY dodgy areas such as Libya, Sudan, Syria, would, and have been off my list for a long time. I'm sure that you 'could' have a nice, safe holiday there, but when there are obviously safer places to go which offer the same sort of holiday, why on earth risk it?

YOU MUST BEJOKING. Security might be on a high... But it's Egyptian security. Not really wearth much in terms of security. That country is a shambles and so are their efforts to secure the country are a shambles.

been once. No rush to go back. As mentioned, totally artificial and th tourism is damaging the reefs as well 🙁

With the global jihad gathering pace I don't see any reason to visit islamic countries.

That.

Glad we did Morrocco in the late 90's and Tunisia in 2005 now. Suddenly Spain gets more attractive.