We were told that everyone has to each get their own. I would take $ and sterling the right money. We had to pay in sterling in june, and kimevans went the same time and paid in $ so every day it seems is different.

Dear Sir/Madam

Could you please explain why on this page http://www.libraholidays.co.uk/pages/need_to_know.asp it clearly states:

Visas are required for ALL visits to Egypt...
Please note that if you choose to obtain your visa locally on arrival, it will have to be paid for in Pounds Sterling

This is untrue. Visas are NOT required if you stay in the Sinai region (unless you stay for 15 days or more), they instead receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. Therefore people staying in Sharm el Sheikh, Nuweiba, Dahab, Taba etc do NOT need to buy one unless they plan to venture to Cairo, Luxor etc.
Also the visas can be obtained by paying in US$ (in which the visas are actually priced).


As that same page also states:

As travel regulations constantly change, we as tour operators are unable to provide up-to-date information concerning such requirements

As you are "unable to provide up-to-date information", why give information that is clearly untrue?

I know of someone that has a holiday booked (online with Libra) to Sharm el Sheikh. Their receipt clearly states,in bold "You must purchase a visa on entry to Egypt at the airport, failure to do so could result in non admission". How many people, believing travel companies, waste money buying visas that are not required?

The Libra site also states "Libra Holidays are specialists in Egypt holidays". Clearly they are not as specialized as they think!

Looking forward to your explanation.

As you quite rightly state, visas are not required for passengers intending to spend the whole duration of their holiday in the Red Sea area. However, those choosing to visit Cairo, Luxor and other parts of Egypt outside the Red Sea area during their holiday are required to get a visa on arrival at the airport. We have found, from experience, that many of our guests who do not have a visa, subsequently regret this as it ties them to the Red Sea area and it does not enable them to travel further afield within Egypt. It is for this reason that we strongly recommend that our guests acquire a visa on arrival since we have experienced many disappointed guests who wish who have expressed their wish to see more of Egypt but have not been able to do so due to the lack of a visa. As you are aware, Egypt has the most famous historical sites in the world and a visa therefore, allows guests the freedom of movement in order that they may wish to visit some of these sites.

We would also explain that experience has shown that if guests need to be repatriated for any reason whatsoever or require medical assistance, if they do not have a visa we are unable to move them to a hospital outside the Red Sea area or arrange a return flight from any other airport. Under the circumstances, we believe that a visa is a necessary requirement and this is the reason for the statement on our website.

With regards to payment of the visas, we would confirm that guests are unable to pay for these in local currency. Whilst they may be able to pay for these in US dollars, it does not seem feasible to advise our clients to change money into US dollars, and possibly incur exchange charges, when they are able to pay for the visas in Pounds Sterling.

In closing, we would thank you for your observations and trust that we have clarified our position in this matter