Why is Red Sea so expensive this year?

[Christian]

I pay €1700 for RT flights from Sthlm and a week onboard a quality liveaboard. That's more than fair inmo. Don't know if there are fewer boats operating or if demand has increased. But did I notice that most boats have been booked/filled up pretty quick. With some luck I managed to secure a couple of spots for October in June.

 

[Sunn]

I pay €1700 for RT flights from Sthlm and a week onboard a quality liveaboard. That's more than fair inmo.

1500 € from Brussels for a week in september. Just because a group cancelled, otherwise it was full.

 

[Philly_Diver]

Another thing to keep in mind is that they instituted a VAT tax this year, it just went into effect Aug. 1st, so expect to pay more.

 

[Sunn]

Another thing to keep in mind is that they instituted a VAT tax this year, it just went into effect Aug. 1st, so expect to pay more.

yes, it has been adopted by the government in summer 2016, in order to fulfill the requirements to negociate a 3 billion dollars loan from IMF, but replaces the general sales tax, which was 10%

vat is now 13% and will be 14% next year ; that means a 3% rising, or 927 instead of 900 for a cruise.... not a big difference

 

[Fuzzmex]

I have just come back from Marsa Alam and noticed that tourism is on the up again there.
Something that staff at both hotels and dive schools confirmed.
So increased demand may well be the main factor.

 

[Sunn]

I have just come back from Marsa Alam and noticed that tourism is on the up again there.
Something that staff at both hotels and dive schools confirmed.
So increased demand may well be the main factor.

we dropped a french group to Marsa Alam airport last week : there were 5 cars or minibuses (yes, five ! ) in total on the airport parking !

nobody in the departure hall, nobody in the arrival hall...

well... on the up coming from nearly zero, ok