Hi Rik,
Yes I am afraid the same applies in Hurghada. The majority of shopkeepers really don't like the Russian tourists (sorry if there are any on the board), they don't want to spend money and some are very rude.
Even when going into 'fixed price' shops they try and knock the guys down.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge than I have can perhaps enlighten me on the following. I believe that the agreement between Egypt & Russian comes to an end this year (i.e. Russian supplying arms to Egypt during the problems with Israel, Egypt not having the money to pay back the debt, therefore the Russians getting vacations at silly prices), does this mean that there will be a drop in Russian visitors once they have to pay the same prices as every other nationality do you think?

Cynic,

Just for the correction, the deal between Egypt and Russia has nothing to do with travel business. based on cheap flight from Russia , supplied by all the russian tour operator. and cheap to medium accommodation in 3,4 star hotels. you will be really surprised at the moment if you know that Grand Hyatt sharm el shiek , is full of russian that are paying very high rates. they are even in Radisson sas sharm , and most of all the other properties in both destinations. they are not really lower in prices than anybody coming from Europ. i will tell you, last week a very well known Dutch tour operator was selling one week hurghada all inclusive , flight , transfers , accommodation in 4 star hotel in Hurghada at 199 Euro , can you believe that ?

ok here is the real surprise, one week nile cruise full board, transfers included in five stars cruise ship. how much ? 220 Euro ?

Egypt is going down with the prices in the last two years after the attacks of Sinai , Taba , Dahab and sharm . and it has nothing to do with nationalities or deals or anything . it is just a matter of marketing and to fill the space that Egypt has. do you know the latest figuers ? Egypt is having 450 thousands rooms. WAW!!!!! guess even spain does not have that number. we have to fill it i guess.


xxx