The country's Chamber of Diving and Watersports, which represents some 600 dive operations, has suggested that divers should pay an increase of ?24 per week for northern Egyptian itineraries and the Sharm El Sheikh area; and ?32 per week for marine parks and itineraries in the south.
Justification for the charges, says the CDWS, lies in a rise in operating costs. Last year, it says, liveaboard operators absorbed an average 75 per cent increase, including a 100 per cent increase in fuel costs.
An effective 46 per cent rise in Egypt's traditionally subsidised fuel prices, enacted by the government in early May, was initially absorbed by operators 'in order to allow the end user to benefit from a highly competitive market place'.
But the following month the CDWS backed the implementation of a price increase to apply to new bookings after 8 July. It says that the fees are not compulsory and depend on individual agreements between liveaboard operators and tour operators. They are necessary, it says, to avoid 'jepoardising quality'.
Customers are advised to contact their tour operators for further information.
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