Apr 30, 2008
There's been a shift in British travel patterns that Americans might consider emulating
It isn't only the U.S. dollar that has fallen against the Euro; the British pound has dropped against the Euro as well (while maintaining its strength against the dollar). Result: British travel journals are headlining a sharp drop-off in British travel to Spain and Greece, where the Euro is used, and a corresponding increase in travel to Egypt and Tunisia, where the local currency is refreshingly weak. According to reliable travel newspapers in the U.K., British traffic to Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh is up by as much as 50%, as are passengers to Tunisia; while travel to such former British favorites as Alicante in Spain and Corfu in Greek waters is down by about 15%.
American travelers might ponder the fact that Brits in such large numbers are going to Egypt. They, like most other Europeans, regard Egypt as acceptably safe, and Europeans currently flock there by the millions. Most Americans, by contrast, have shunned Egypt since September 11, and are thus missing an inexpensive travel opportunity to a location that is an indispensable trip that must be made at some time in your life. The Pyramids, Sphinx and other ancient sights of Egypt (Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Giza) make for an enthralling visit; the city of Cairo is full of cafes; and a great archaeological museum (with relics of King Tut) rounds out the attractions, all visited with the assistance of plentiful hotels and restaurants charging a fraction of European levels.
As for Tunisia, and its off-shore island of Djerba, these are superb resort locations, especially for families, and my nephew who resides in Paris takes his family there periodically for two week stays at a seaside resort. He reports that prices are among the world's lowest.
The European population has concluded that both Egypt and Tunisia are safe to visit, and their assessment of the situation is supported by remarkable security measures taken by the Egyptian authorities. Though American tour operators have not yet created the low-cost air-and-land packages to Egypt that could easily be concocted, given the low value of the Egyptian currency, independent trips there are just as easily possible, and at a remarkably affordable price.
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American travelers might ponder the fact that Brits in such large numbers are going to Egypt. They, like most other Europeans, regard Egypt as acceptably safe, and Europeans currently flock there by the millions. Most Americans, by contrast, have shunned Egypt since September 11, and are thus missing an inexpensive travel opportunity to a location that is an indispensable trip that must be made at some time in your life. The Pyramids, Sphinx and other ancient sights of Egypt (Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Giza) make for an enthralling visit; the city of Cairo is full of cafes; and a great archaeological museum (with relics of King Tut) rounds out the attractions, all visited with the assistance of plentiful hotels and restaurants charging a fraction of European levels.
As for Tunisia, and its off-shore island of Djerba, these are superb resort locations, especially for families, and my nephew who resides in Paris takes his family there periodically for two week stays at a seaside resort. He reports that prices are among the world's lowest.
The European population has concluded that both Egypt and Tunisia are safe to visit, and their assessment of the situation is supported by remarkable security measures taken by the Egyptian authorities. Though American tour operators have not yet created the low-cost air-and-land packages to Egypt that could easily be concocted, given the low value of the Egyptian currency, independent trips there are just as easily possible, and at a remarkably affordable price.
Write and read comments about this post.
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
