Some of the Necessary Critical Decisions When Making Travel Plans

Let’s face it, tourists come in all shapes, sizes, and particular likes and dislikes. Personally, I’ve arrived at a point in my life where if you give me a nice umbrella and a sandy beach, close enough so I can dip my toes in the ocean, I’m happy. I might not even ask for a book. However, there are those who understandably have a thirst for adventure, to discover new places and new cultures, and to experience some of the things that are going on in life. Especially when it comes to some of the political hotspots which seem to flare up regularly in various places in the world, I have to ask myself: Are these adventurers literally putting their lives at risk by venturing into areas that might very well be considered battle zones?

We’re All Safe Here

I was thinking about this just last week when I came across an old press communiqué from the Egyptian Embassy in South Africa, which dated back only seven months. If you remember, this was the critical moment when the democratically elected president, who was named Morsi and was part of a movement known as the Muslim Brotherhood, was all of a sudden deposed in what most would consider a coup d’etat. Let’s not forget that a large part of Egypt’s economy depends on tourism, and for good reason. They have a lot of amazing places for people to visit, from the Pyramids to the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and other historical sites which make you realise how far advanced they were, and how long ago it all happened. The last thing that the Egyptian economy needs is tourists shying away in horror because of potential violence.

A Hotspot Is Still a Hotspot

Mind you, this reassuring note from the Egyptian Embassy came on the same day it was reported that 34 Morsi supporters were killed clashing with police. So much for everyone being perfectly safe. Having said that, chances are that there are certain parts of the capital, Cairo, where one had best not venture. If you’re looking to take one of the typical tourist jaunts through the ancient monuments, it’s most likely that you would not be in harm’s way. Still, it makes you wonder: What price are you prepared to pay to find yourself in the middle of what could potentially turn into a battle zone? And we’re not talking money here; we’re talking about your life!

Staying Closer to Home

Unless you are an intrepid reporter, who almost by definition needs to put themselves in harm’s way to cover their story, doesn’t it sound better just exploring sites and locations closer to home? Let’s face it, there is so much to see and do in South Africa, as well as the neighbouring countries, that it could almost take an entire lifetime to cover it all. Perhaps that is why South Africa has seen a dramatic increase in tourists from all over the world in the last several years. They know that not only will they be treated warmly, but that they will be able to find wonderful accommodations wherever they go by visiting www.tsogosun.com. Unfortunately, there will always be areas of conflict all over the world. Perhaps we should be smart about our choices and stay out of harm’s way.