Egypt bombs another blow to tourism

One blast, on the eve of the third anniversary of the 2011 revolution, struck the city centre, destroying the main police headquarters and damaging other buildings, including the Museum of Islamic Art, the Egyptian National Library and a courthouse. A second exploded in Dokki, across the river from downtown Cairo, and a third in Giza.

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, urging Britons in Cairo to “exercise caution… particularly near government buildings, and where possible minimise travel around the city for the time being.”

Earlier this week it issued a warning for travellers in Egypt to “avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings” ahead of the January 25 anniversary.

The incident comes just two months after the Foreign Office lifted its warning against all but essential travel to large parts of Egypt, including Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Alexandria and Luxor - an advisory that was imposed in July last year following the ousting of Mohamed Morsi - and could deter potential visitors. While the majority of Britons visiting Egypt head to the Red Sea resorts, such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, which have been largely immune to the unrest of recent years, many use Cairo as a base for exploring the pyramids of Giza.