Chinese Travel Agencies Suspend Middle East Tours due to War Risk

Home>>Life

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 15, 2003

Chinese Travel Agencies Suspend Middle East Tours due to War Risk

Most Beijing travel agencies have suspended tourist trips to the Middle East as tension heightens in the Gulf region, Thursday's Beijing Youth Daily reports.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Most Beijing travel agencies have suspended tourist trips to the Middle East as tension heightens in the Gulf region, Thursday's Beijing Youth Daily reports.

Out of security concerns, major travel agencies, including the China International Travel Service, China Travel Service and China Youth Tourism Service, have temporarily suspended tours to Egypt and Turkey for Chinese tourists.

According to Dun Jidong of the China Travel Service, once war breaks out between the United States and Iraq, not only will Middle East travel routes be frozen but the entire overseas travel business will be affected.

The only few travel agencies still organizing visits to the Middle East have increased their prices by 500 to 600 Yuan (60 to 72 US dollars). An 8-day visit to Egypt and Turkey, for instance, has increased to 12,500 Yuan (1,506 US dollars).

According to a staff member with one travel agency still doing Middle East business, the increases reflect the rise in oil prices and the increased difficulty in getting visas.

Asked about the possible war, he said, if tours were curtailed because of a war emergency, the agency would refund the portion of the costs covering the remainder of the trip.

Questions?Comments? Click here

China Warns US not to Send Wrong Signals to Taiwan ( 3 Messages)

Germany smashes US Fancy of Submarine Sale to Taiwan ( 2 Messages)

Who'll Pay Money for US-Planned 'Toppling Saddam'? ( 7 Messages)

Chinese Scientists Refute US Claims on Rocket Data Transfer ( 3 Messages)

Traditional Chinese Medicine Grabs World Attention ( 16 Messages)