Dutch travel firms say they have lost millions of euros because of the government’s revised travel advice to Egypt, which says all but essential travel to beach resorts is ‘not recommended’.

The foreign affairs ministry has not issued a ‘don’t travel’ recommendation and this means special insurance cover does not kick in. This means people who don’t want to travel to Egypt are being left footing the bill.

However, most travel firms are not applying the rules strictly and are allowing customers to switch destinations or cancel their break, Nos television said.

Cancellations

TUI (Arke and Holland International) and Corendon have cancelled all holidays in Egypt until October. Other companies, such as Thomas Cook and Sky Tours, are continuing to take tourists to Egypt but allowing them to cancel if they are unhappy.

The ministry’s advice is also confusing for tourists who are worried their destination may not be safe, the organisations say.

Some 5,500 Dutch tourists were in Egyptian resorts last week.