• Visitors take a selfie in front of a welcome sign after arriving at an unusually quiet Sharm El Sheikh airport.
    Visitors take a selfie in front of a welcome sign after arriving at an unusually quiet Sharm El Sheikh airport.
  • A driver with a name card waits to collect a passenger at baggage claim in Sharm El Sheikh airport.
    A driver with a name card waits to collect a passenger at baggage claim in Sharm El Sheikh airport.
  • The lobby of an abandoned resort is seen through a window.
    The lobby of an abandoned resort is seen through a window.
  • A shop owner patiently waits for customers in the Old Market district.
    A shop owner patiently waits for customers in the Old Market district.
  • Tourists take photographs in front of a large replica dinosaur at an amusement park.
    Tourists take photographs in front of a large replica dinosaur at an amusement park.
  • The entrance to a empty British themed sports pub is seen in the once popular Soho Square.
    The entrance to a empty British themed sports pub is seen in the once popular Soho Square.
  • A security guard is seen outside a restaurant in the tourist area of Naama Bay.
    A security guard is seen outside a restaurant in the tourist area of Naama Bay.
  • A souvenir vendor waits for passing trade.
    A souvenir vendor waits for passing trade.
  • Shop owners wait for customers in the Old Market district.
    Shop owners wait for customers in the Old Market district.
  • Faded clothing samples are seen hanging at a street stall in the resort town of Naama Bay.
    Faded clothing samples are seen hanging at a street stall in the resort town of Naama Bay.
  • Empty market stalls are seen in the resort town of Naama Bay.
    Empty market stalls are seen in the resort town of Naama Bay.
  • The boarded up entrance of a casino is seen at an abandoned resort in Sharm El Sheikh.
    The boarded up entrance of a casino is seen at an abandoned resort in Sharm El Sheikh.
  • A few tourists are seen during a sunset quad bike tour.
    A few tourists are seen during a sunset quad bike tour.
  • A young boy leads a camel tour in the desert on the outskirts of the city.
    A young boy leads a camel tour in the desert on the outskirts of the city.
  • Tourists walk through an apparently deserted Old Market district.
    Tourists walk through an apparently deserted Old Market district.

Region in focus: Sharm El Sheikh becomes a ghost town

James O’Hara

April 06, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

Prior to the Arab Spring in 2011 some 15 million tourists would visit Egypt each year. The resort town of Sharm El Sheikh was built around tourism. However tourist numbers have plummeted after recent terrorist attacks with flights from major UK carriers being suspended and foreign offices around the world warning citizens of the ‘High threat from terrorism’. Sharm El Sheikh today is almost a ghost town, with many resorts being abandoned and businesses forced to close.

Photos by Chris McGrath for Getty Images

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