After the death of up to 12 Mexican tourists in Egypt's Western Desert yesterday, Irish tourists will be wondering how safe travel there is.

Sadly, the Central American tourists and their guides died at the hands of the authorities, who say they thought the convoy they were travelling in included terrorists.

Essential travel only

The Department of Foreign Affairs here is currently advising Irish tourists not to travel to Egypt, except where that trip is essential.

Advisors say the risk of terrorist incidents and civil unrest is high.

However, there are some exceptions. Foreign Affairs considers travel to The Red Sea coastal resort of Sharm El Sheikh (only) in the Sinai peninsula, The Red Sea coastal resort of Hurghada and other Red Sea resorts outside the Sinai peninsula, and Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel where some of Egypt's most ancient sites can be found to be safe.

Irish people travelling to these areas are advised to arrive and depart by air, and avoid travelling beyond the area limits.

Enhanced security

These three exceptions are being made because additional security measures have been put in place to protect them.

The risk to foreigners is expected to come from terrorists who might target tourists as high value casualties, but in this case it was authorities who fired the deadly shots.

They were travelling in convoy. Authorities say they were with an unlicensed tour operator, but people in the region have told reporters they may even have been accompanied by police.

Traveling in a secure convoy is not unusual for tourists in Egypt.

The North African country's economy relies heavily on its tourism industry, one of its top employers. In 2008, 12.8 million tourists visited Egypt, but some reports say that has dropped by as much as 60%.

The government tries desperately to protect those that still come - they are protecting revenues.

Egyptian authorities are notoriously cautious about allowing tourists to travel in high-risk areas, such as the central and southern parts of the country.

If you are sightseeing in these areas it is common to be asked to join a convoy of tourist vehicles, usually accompanied by armed Egyptian guards on the basis that there is 'safety in numbers'.

Travelling in this way is not a choice, it is a condition of your stay in the country at the gift of the authorities.

Western Desert

The Mexican group was in the Wahat area of the Western Desert when they were hit.

It is an area popular because of its oases at Bahariya, Dakhla, Kharga and Farafra. 

The desert borders Libya, and a healthy arms trade between illegal groups on both sides of those borders has made it a hotbed of terrorist activity.

Most of the tourists who make it to the desert are seeking adventure and an authentic experience.

The Mexican group were setting up for a night spent under the desert stars.

But authorities here have been warning for months that the security situation in these desert areas is difficult, strongly advising Irish citizens against travelling there.

In high-risk areas of Egypt, a Presidential decree that mandates the armed forces to take measures to safeguard the security of these areas is in operation.

Avoid protests 

The Department of Foreign Affairs is also warning Irish citizens in Egypt to carry their ID at all times, and to be aware that participating in protests or demonstrations can result in lengthy prison sentences.

That advice is being issued in the aftermath of Irish teenager Ibrahim Halawa's arrest and lengthy detention.

Irish people who do intend to travel to Egypt despite the government's advice are asked to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs before travelling so that they can be found in the event of an emergency.