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Jordanian tourists stranded at Taba Heights port, Egypt Roughly 40 Jordanian tourists found the gate at the Taba Heights port in Egypt closed as they were preparing to return home, witness tells Ahram Online
About 40 Jordanian touristsstaged a sit-in at the Taba Heights port in Egypt, according to witnesses. The tourists protested because they were prevented from enteringthe porton their waybackto Jordan, as it was closedwith iron clasps. Theprotestersrefusedto leavethrough the Israeli port ofEilat,while a groupof 60othertouristsenteredEgypt through it. "The Egyptian Consulin Aqaba, YasserSalahhas intervened toavoid the situation from escalating andto provideappropriateaccommodation for protesters ... and to persuadethe travel agenciesto bear thecosts," the witness told Ahram Online "We hope that does not impacttourismand Egypt-Jordan relations or distort the reputation ofthe Egyptian tourism" the witness quoted the Egyptian Consol. The TabaHeightsport is owned by Orascom Hotelsand Development(OHD) and is chaired by Egyptian business tycoon, SamihSawiris. The director ofTabaHeightsport TariqRehantold Egypt's official news agency, MENA, in April 2011that the OHD companyreceiveda warning from theEgyptian Ministry of Transporton 6 February 2011to desist activities that were not part of the conditionsoftheir port license. Their license only permits yachts, entertainment andwater sports, but the company allowed commercial ships to enter through the port, which iscontrary to theprovisions of thelaw and Ministerial Decree935for the year2003. Located in close proximity to three different countries: Israel by land, Saudi Arabia and Jordan by sea; Taba Heights is the ideal port of call, especially now, for seafarers who wish to take a voyage up the Red Sea and cruise the Gulf of Aqaba. Granted an International Tourist Marina license in July 2005, the Taba Heights Marina is the first legitimate port of entry in the region.
