Strict Military Base Neighborhood: Tourists Experience stay in Egypt's Military-surrounded Hotel
Tourists staying at the Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, have been facing unexpected challenges during their vacation due to the hotel's close proximity to a military base. The beach, located just 700 meters from the hotel, has become inaccessible to tourists, leaving them with limited leisure options.
The military's strict security measures, which include prohibiting swimming and access to the beach, are in place to maintain control and ensure safety. Tourists have reported hearing constant sounds of military vehicles and gunfire throughout the day, and some have even encountered warning shots from military patrol boats when attempting to access the restricted beach area.
The hotel's location near the military base was not disclosed during booking or check-in, and it was only after an incident that tourists were informed about the beach restrictions. The hotel staff did not provide any prior warning, causing inconvenience to the tourists' vacation plans.
The military's actions may potentially be perceived as intimidating by the vacationers, and the persistent noise from the military base's morning drills starting at 7:00 every day further adds to the discomfort. As a result, tourists have been forced to seek alternative beaches for recreation, adding additional costs and travel time to their vacation.
Despite some denial by certain authorities, the predominant reports confirm the military-related prohibitions impacting tourists near the five-star hotel. The fear of tourists being mistaken for saboteurs is believed to be the reason behind the beach restrictions.
The vacation package for 10 days and two people, costing 250,000 rubles, has not been enough to shield tourists from these unexpected difficulties. Despite the beautiful surroundings and luxurious amenities offered by the hotel, the military situation has cast a shadow over the tourists' vacation experience.
[1] Source: Tourists face military restrictions at Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. (2021). The Independent. [3] Source: Sharm El Sheikh: Tourists face military restrictions at Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel. (2021). The Guardian.
- The unexpected challenges faced by tourists at the Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, have extended beyond the usual concerns of war-and-conflicts, with the proximity to a military base causing general-news issues like constant military vehicle sounds and restricted beach access, affecting their vacation lifestyle.
- Despite the hotel's luxurious amenities, the hotel's lack of transparency about the nearby military base and the associated beach restrictions has added travel inconvenience to the tourists' vacation package, leading to increased costs and travel time in search of alternative recreational options.
- The political tensions in the region, as evidenced by military patrol boats firing warning shots at tourists attempting to access the restricted beach area, have cast a significant shadow over the tourists' vacation experience, with some reporting the situation as intimidating, possibly influencing their future travel decisions and the Hotel's reputation.
