Will you get a refund for a cancelled holiday to Egypt?

Tourists who cancel plans to fly to Egypt's Red Sea resorts will NOT receive refunds, a consumer group has warned.

Tour operators won't give money back because the official Foreign Office advice still states that resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh (pictured) are safe, says Which? Travel.

'Unfortunately, if you have booked a holiday, a package holiday or a flight or anything like that, until the Foreign Office announces that it is not safe to travel, although you are obviously within your rights to cancel, you won't be entitled to your money back,' said a spokesman, speaking in the newspaper Metro.

The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez, but says that popular winter destinations remains calm. However, Germany, whose tourist numbers are nearly as high as Britain's, has issued a travel warning which includes the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, many UK tour operators are slashing prices to 'safe' Egyptian destinations.

Maria Whiteman, CEO of directline holidays commented on the situation:

'We would expect prices in Egypt to have come down quite significantly. However, unfortunately for travel companies and holiday makers alike, we can't recommend this as a time to 'bag a bargain' because the situation out in Egypt is uncertain. We are instead directing customers to alternative destinations such as the Canary Islands which currently represent extremely good value and still offer good weather in close proximity to the UK.

The safety of our customers is paramount and we don't want our customers to endure extra cost for having to change their holiday plans. As a result, for customers who have already booked a holiday to the affected areas in Egypt and no longer wish to travel there, we are waivering the admin costs applicable for making alternative holiday arrangements.'
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