Egyptian Diving Market Sinks

The Cairo Post reports that 70 per cent of Egyptian dive centers --- 170 out of 246 -- have gone out of business in the five months since the terrorist attack on a Russian airliner leaving Sharm el Sheikh airport. While some American divers travel there, the proximity of coral reefs and wrecks make the northern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba extremely popular for Europeans, helped by low-cost airfare and Egyptian prices for food and accommodations. A week's trip from the UK could cost as little as $1000, everything included, and often a lot less. But, most European airlines have cancelled services, and the repercussions have been felt throughout the European diving industry, affecting even the sale of dive equipment.