Egypt is as safe as any other country

Readers say they will not hesitate to travel to Egypt. Other topics: petrol price, wedding

Readers say they feel safe to travel to Egypt. Mohamed El Shahed / AFP

What has happened shouldn't affect visitors who fly to Egypt (Egypt faces tourism challenge, May 30).

Terrorist attacks also occurred in many European countries this year, but they didn’t stop people from flying to those countries. Life goes on. Egypt is a beautiful country. I am going there soon.

Cynthia Keldany Trepanier, Abu Dhabi

I have lived in Egypt before, during and after the revolution. I have lived during the phase when Egypt was without a president. Never once did I feel threatened or at risk, even when I was in Tahrir Square with my Egyptian friends. I am waiting to share those memories with my children one day.

Nevertheless, Egyptians need to change their approach to tourism and hospitality.

Gianmaria Vidale, Dubai

I would definitely go. Apart from Sinai, there is no threat faced by tourists in Egypt. It’s as safe as any other location. It offers a great combination of a rich history and natural beauty.

Thomas Mnt, Dubai

I feel safe travelling to Egypt. Unfortunate events can occur anywhere in the world.

Dina El, Dubai

I travelled to Egypt last year and had a great time. There have been attacks in the UK in the past, and more recently in Paris. Yet people keep travelling to those places. And I bet all those people saying no to Egypt would gladly travel to those destinations.

Sohail Anjum Mohammad, Dubai

Concern over petrol price rise

I hate to think of the fuel price when crude reaches $100 (Dh367) a barrel. Would it mean we walk to work (UAE motorists pay more at the pump in June, May 30)?

Chandan Aidur, Abu Dhabi

If the price of a barrel is going up, surely the price of petrol at the pump should be more stable.

Robert Bradley, Abu Dhabi

Why have a lavish wedding?

Regarding the story Plan the ultimate luxury wedding in the UAE (May 27), I have some reservations about spending lavishly on a wedding.

Many say that this is a one-time affair in their lives so it should be a memorable occasion. I do not disagree, but you can make a marriage memorable in many ways other than making it a lavish affair.

I come from a country where there is a wide gap between the rich and poor. In a society like that, lavish weddings are often intended to show off.

One of the biggest victims of lavish weddings are the middle-class people. They work hard to save money for this day without realising that there are more important things in life for which they might need that money. I have also seen a lot of food being wasted at these weddings.

In my country, a person who has this much money can feed many people throughout the year without any difficulty.

Moreover, this phenomenon does not exist in responsible societies. People who spend lavishly on their weddings only show their lack of conscience and concern.

Name withheld by request

I can tell you that in economic terms buying gold is more immoral than spending on a lavish wedding. The reason is that the yellow metal is a useless asset.

On the contrary, lavish weddings can be justified to some extent, as you are giving money to the owners of the venue, who have worked hard to decorate it. You are giving money to caterers, card-printers, florists, musicians and all the other people employed during a wedding. Relatives and friends who attend the wedding will spend money on transport and accommodation, helping those industries. Overall, weddings can stimulate the local economy.

Amit Chaudhry, India

It’s OK when you have plenty of money but it’s so stupid to drown your new family in debt when you want something you can’t afford.

Gianmaria Vidale, Dubai