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REFUSING TO BUDGE

Tourists ignoring warnings to leave Sharm el Sheikh resorts as soon as possible amid fears of ISIS attack

Concern over terrorist attacks and political turmoil continue to blight the holiday market in Turkey and North Africa

TOURISTS soaking up the sun in Egypt's popular Sharm el Sheikh resorts are ignoring warnings to travel home amid fears of a looming terror attack.

Islamic State monsters last week killed 10 members of the Egyptian security forces in a series of bombings - as well as releasing footage of a victim being beheaded locally.

 People relax on beach chairs at a beach popular with tourists in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
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People relax on beach chairs at a beach popular with tourists in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, EgyptCredit: Getty Images
 An ISIS propaganda photo showing masked militants firing weapons
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An ISIS propaganda photo showing masked militants firing weaponsCredit: Alamy

And now there are fears that a terror attack could target Israeli tourists in the area, with the head of  Israel’s National Security Council Counter Terrorism Bureau, Eitan Ben David, urging them to come home.

It is feared that a terror attack could target Israeli tourists when Passover begins on April 10, but reports claim that the holidaymakers remain defiant.

Despite terror fears in the region, Thomson owner Tui Group said British sun-seekers were snapping up more long-haul holidays and cruises in Turkey and North Africa.

The travel giant's northern region, which includes the UK market, recorded an 11% and 10% jump in revenues for the winter and summer periods respectively.

The rise was underpinned by a healthy rise in bookings by British holidaymakers, with revenues climbing by a fifth for the winter of 2016/17 and by 11% for the summer of 2017.

 Naama Bay beach in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh
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Naama Bay beach in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-SheikhCredit: Getty Images

Chief executive Friedrich Joussen said winter trading had been helped by a "good performance" from its hotels and resorts arm, while summer bookings were in line with forecasts.

He added: "Whilst the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges is evident in certain source markets and destinations, our balanced portfolio of markets and destinations, our focus on growth in own hotel and cruise brands and our strong balance sheet put us in a robust position."



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