Egypt, with its enthralling history, captivating culture, and jaw-dropping vistas, certainly made a name for itself as a global hotspot for wanderlust.
Yet, let's not sugar coat it, dear travellers, not everyone waltzes out of Egypt with cherished memories.
Grace Cheng, a globetrotter-extraordinaire, boasting a passport decked out with stamps from 36 countries, recently took to social media to spill the beans on why her Egyptian escapade wasn't quite the magical carpet ride she'd imagined.
Cheng explained that her holiday was ruined by scammers and the widespread “hustle culture”.
“Felt so uncomfortable visiting Egypt, and I’m going to tell you why,” the caption in the video read.
“So scamming is a big issue here. And I didn’t really know how big it was as a first timer. At the Great Pyramids of Giza, especially,” says Cheng.
@gracietravels i stayed for a week and everyday was the same 🫠 #egypt #egyptscam #scammers #egypttravels #egypttips #myexperience #traveltip ♬ Chill Vibes - Tollan Kim
Additionally, it is noted that Egypt heavily relies on tourism as a significant source of revenue. As a result, some individuals may resort to scams and fraudulent activities to exploit tourists and make a quick profit.
“Don’t let anyone take a picture of you. Don’t let anyone put anything in your hands. And don’t follow anyone if they have something to show you because they will demand money from you.”
“So we went with a tour guide, but don’t even feel safe if you’re with one because ours had a lot of friends in this area,” she added.
According to Cheng, they were continuously presented with numerous upgrade offers, such as the opportunity to ascend a rock for a photo against a scenic backdrop. And declining these offers could lead to unsettling situations.
“Everyone says that you need to have a local or tour guide wherever you go. This itself is completely absurd because, for example, if you are a solo traveller, it kind of defeats the purpose of solo travelling.
But then again, I definitely wouldn’t recommend coming to Egypt alone, especially if you’re a woman.”
Common scams in Egypt can include overcharging for goods and services, selling counterfeit products, offering unsolicited assistance and then demanding payment, or misleading tourists about entry fees to historical sites.
Travellers can protect themselves by researching common scams, being cautious with strangers, and agreeing on prices and services before making any transactions.
While scams can happen anywhere, including Egypt, with awareness and vigilance, tourists can reduce their risk of falling victim to them.
“I was also really scared of losing our luggage as as well. We had private drivers wherever we went, but whenever we got dropped off at a site and left our bags in the van, I was sure I was never going to see them again.”
“That being said, this was my experience being in Egypt, and even though the country itself is beautiful, just the people and the environment did not make me feel comfortable at all,” Cheng concluded.