Russian tourists in Egypt have no plans to interrupt their vacations and leave the country hit by nationwide unrest, tour operators said on Tuesday.
The unrest, which has already claimed the lives of at least 150 people and injured some 4,000, is likely to turn even more violent if clashes break out between supporters of President Hosni Mubarak and protesters.
As of January 29, there were about 45,000 Russian tourists in the Arab country, according to the Association of Russian Tour Operators.
Konstantin Shvartser of Pegas Touristik said only 18 of about 18,000 vacationers who had bought a package tour had asked to leave early.
Inturist CEO Viktor Topolakarayev said 38 vacationers had originally asked on Sunday to be evacuated but later many of them changed their minds.
"This shows that everything is calm in the resort areas and no one wants to leave," he said.
In addition to the 45,000 vacationers, about 30,000 Russian nationals have bought real estate and live or work in the country on a permanent or temporary basis.
"In all, at present there are about 75,000 Russians on Egyptian territory," ARTO deputy head Maya Lomidze said.
MOSCOW, February 1 (RIA Novosti)
