‘Tourist-grouping’ system between Hurghada, Luxor back

[DJKeefy]

Hurghada security services have decided to organize tourist transfer buses that take part in the one-day trips from Hurghada and Safaga to Luxor at Safaga, located on Qena Safaga road, in order to move collectively at 6 am under tight security measures.

This system of tourist grouping was canceled four years ago.

Security troops accompanying the tourist group would be changed so that every troop hands the group to another troop from the other governorate. In the case buses are late, trips could be canceled and drivers’ licenses could be revoked.

Meanwhile, Bashar abu Taleb, head of the tourist guides in Hurghada, said the guides accompanying the tourists from Hurghada to Luxor were surprised about the return of the system, adding that they filed complaints to ministries of interior affairs and tourism.

Around 50-60 vehicles transfer between 1,500 and 2,000 tourists every day.

Tour guide Badawi Abdel Karim said the return of the grouping system can also be very taxing to tourists as most of them are elderly or children who cannot stay from in a trip from 6 am to midnight. The trip takes five hours each way, which is very exhausting to tourists.

Source: http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/%E ... luxor-back

[Glyphdoctor]

I don't know if you have this problem, but with age perhaps it comes. But since 5 years ago or so I sometimes catch myself reading headlines the wrong way when I first glance at them. This one in particular I read "tourist-groping"

[DJKeefy]

"tourist-groping"

It most probably that you know the truth

[newcastle]

Economies have to be made everywhere....even in security manning.

This move could be criticised as penny-pinching.....or should that be bum-pinching?

[Robbo70]

Ive never understood this one. Surely a long range rocket launcher will have a far better chance of hitting a bus or coach in a large cluster of 30 rather than trying to hit one on its own? Surely its like shooting fish in a barrel?

[newcastle]

Ive never understood this one. Surely a long range rocket launcher will have a far better chance of hitting a bus or coach in a large cluster of 30 rather than trying to hit one on its own? Surely its like shooting fish in a barrel?

And as the forces of darkness appear to have the security apparatus in their sights (rather than tourists) I'd really prefer NOT to be surrounded by soldiers & police

[Dusak]

Ive never understood this one. Surely a long range rocket launcher will have a far better chance of hitting a bus or coach in a large cluster of 30 rather than trying to hit one on its own? Surely its like shooting fish in a barrel?

And as the forces of darkness appear to have the security apparatus in their sights (rather than tourists) I'd really prefer NOT to be surrounded by soldiers & police

There are many ladies living here that would disagree with you on that one newcastle, probably quite a few men as well come to think about it.

[Zooropa]

I don't know if you have this problem, but with age perhaps it comes. But since 5 years ago or so I sometimes catch myself reading headlines the wrong way when I first glance at them. This one in particular I read "tourist-groping"

I did the exact same thing.

[carrie]

Walking past the police station one day there was a soldier standing on a tank, he was the most handsome man I have ever seen. I could have taken him home and just stuck him in a corner and gazed at him all day. I wouldn't mind him being in charge of a convoy I was on.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Was it the man or the uniform?

[Yildez]

Walking past the police station one day there was a soldier standing on a tank, he was the most handsome man I have ever seen. I could have taken him home and just stuck him in a corner and gazed at him all day. I wouldn't mind him being in charge of a convoy I was on.

Mmmm, I remember it well! I expect you flirted outrageously with the poor boy!

[Brian Yare]

Walking past the police station one day there was a soldier standing on a tank, he was the most handsome man I have ever seen. I could have taken him home and just stuck him in a corner and gazed at him all day. I wouldn't mind him being in charge of a convoy I was on.

He can't have been that special if you were prepared to share him with a whole convoy.

[Who2]

Tourist-grouping eh ? nothing quite like 'putting all ones' eggs in one basket'.
I guarantee that within 12 months we will see a convoy bus crash larger than the 51 single deaths, which I believe is the Egyptian record to date.
I always refused to join their convoys driving at my own chosen speed the tail-end policemen just gave up and left me to my own devices...
'lambs all rushing to their own slaughter'

[Brian Yare]

I was told this evening that these conveys had been suspended again, but so long as they are only for the day-trippers I don't care.

[Dusak]

I was told this evening that these conveys had been suspended again, but so long as they are only for the day-trippers I don't care.

So you are saying that it is OK to hit the convoy with a couple of Side-winders if they are packed with day trippers only? No wonder the tourist numbers are decreasing.

[Brian Yare]

It might cause a stir if the convoy was full of Russians!

[Bombay]

There was a convoy today coming from Hurghada.

[newcastle]

There was a convoy today coming from Hurghada.

When you traveled to Luxor....presumably by private car/taxi...did you have to join a convoy...or maybe you travelled later in the day?

[Bombay]

Unlike back in the day of the convoys where you were supposed to also travel in the convoy I drove myself with no problem, it could be more to do with coaches.
3 lots of speed cameras on the route.

[BBLUX]

Speed camera's! Now that has to be a first. I have never seen a speed camera in use on the desert roads before. I did get done once on the bridge approach road. It was back in 2010. Not seen one since.
The old convoys used to travel at around 130kph forced by the police escorts. I guess the new push to reduce accidents means that the convoy will have to observe the mandated speed limits