BUNNIK Tours has welcomed a decision by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) to lower its overall travel warning for Egypt. The advice, in place due to threat of terrorism, has been updated from level 3: ‘reconsider your need to travel’ to level 2: ‘exercise a high degree of caution’.
This places Egypt at the same advisory level as Germany, the UK, France, Kenya, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and many other travel destinations popular with Australian travellers.
Bunnik Tours, who has been operating small group tours to Egypt for the past 20 years, has praised the Federal Government’s decision to lower the Smartraveller advice – a move which it says is long overdue.
“Egypt has captured the hearts of travellers for over 2,000 years and has one of the most organised and sophisticated group touring industries in the world,” said Joint-CEO Dennis Bunnik.
“This change in advisory finally brings Australia’s advice in line with that of the UK Foreign Office. I, together with my industry colleagues, have been requesting this review for some time and it is great to see it finally happen.”
“There is nothing on earth like standing in front of the Pyramids, sailing down the Nile or walking around the corner and catching your first ever glimpse of Abu Simbel. Egypt is a truly breathtaking destination,” he added.
The downgraded advisory comes in time for the high season for travel, which kicks off 01 October through to early May, and according to Bunnik, will serve as a “a massive boost for the people of Egypt and for every Australian who has ever dreamt of visiting Egypt”.
The higher-level ‘do not travel’ or ‘reconsider your need to travel’ warnings still apply to several areas of Egypt due to higher risks of terrorism or serious crime, including within 40km of Egypt’s border with Libya or to the Governorate of North Sinai, including the Taba-Suez Road.
