18 May 2006

Following the incident in Dahab on 24 April, Red Sea specialist operator Longwood Holidays reports that sales to the resort are well on the way to recovery.

“Our guests who were in Dahab at the time of the bombing were offered the opportunity to curtail their holidays or transfer to a different resort – but none of them took us up on the offer. That gives you some idea of the tenacity of the average holiday maker in Dahab.” commented Rafi Caplin, Longwood Holidays MD.

“It’s not a high profile resort like Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada, and most visitors are there for a specific reason – either they’ve been there before and enjoy the friendly, laid-back lifestyle, or they’re there to Dive or participate in one of the many watersports the resort is known for.”

Caplin also confirmed that bookings to Classical Egypt, Nile Cruises and tailor-made Egypt had not been affected by the incident, or the mainstream media’s linking of the story to the earlier attacks in Sharm el Sheikh and Taba; though overall bookings to the Egyptian Red Sea resorts had suffered as a result.

“It makes for a very difficult summer season. We were already starting to see the effects of overcapacity on most of the routes, and an event like this just makes it that much more difficult for all operators featuring the Red Sea – and that’s a shame for Egypt, whose economy is so reliant on tourism.”

Longwood is currently offering a number of value-added offers in Egypt, including:

• Guests arriving at the 5* Hyatt Regency Taba Heights until 29 Jun 2006 receive a free half hour massage, a free upgrade to a seaview room, an upgraded meal in Pub Tandoori, an upgraded meal in El Fresco Italian Restaurant and a 15% discount on all beverages (local & imported). Sample package: 7nts HB from £309, departing in June.

• 25% discount on all beverages, local & imported, at the newly opened 5* Intercontinental, Taba Heights. Valid for arrivals to 29 Jun 2006. Sample package: 7nts HB from £309, departing in June.

• Upgrade to all-inclusive at the 4* Sea Star Taba for only £2 per person per night (includes meals, drinks & some games). Valid for all nights in hotel to 30 June 2006. Sample package: 7nts HB from £289, or AI from £317, departing in June.

•Guests staying at the 5* Radisson SAS Taba Coast receive a free upgrade to a seaview room, free half hour massage, free use of hotel tennis courts, health club, sauna & Jacuzzi plus 15% discount on beverages (from 2300 – 1100) valid to 29 June 2006. Sample package: 7nts AI from £349, departing in June.

•Guests staying at the 5* Hyatt Regency, Sharm el Sheikh until 29 June 2006 will receive a free half hour massage. Sample package: 7nts BB from £419, departing in June.

Offers valid for new bookings only. All prices are based on flights from Gatwick, with two sharing a room. Regional supplements apply. Taxes and surcharges included.

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Notes to editors: Longwood Holidays is the UK’s leading independent Red Sea specialist, offering over 160 hotels across Egypt, Israel and Jordan. As well as package holidays to the Red Sea, the operator also offers a comprehensive tailormade programme, guided tours and an extensive diving programme.

Reservations: 020 8418 2525
Agency Support: 020 8418 2550
www.longwoodholidays.co.uk

Please contact Tara Bradberry on 020 8418 2550 or tara.bradberry@longwoodholidays.co.uk for all press-related queries.