Bethel Coach Tours takes great pride in its travel business and goes to great lengths to ensure that you will not only have a satisfying travel experience, but more importantly, a very safe one, particularly when it comes to  international destinations.  Please bear in mind that BCT is operated by all dedicated brothers and sisters who on principle would make sure that all travel arrangements would be planned with the utmost care.  BCT would never put any of its travelers in harm’s way.

With so much happening in the world some have expressed concern about BCT’s travel plans to the Bible Lands later this year.  Below you will find helpful information about each destination (Israel, Egypt and Turkey) in connection with travel safety in view of what is happening in the Middle East.

ISRAEL

Foreign government advisories often warn against travel to Gaza and the West Bank – but generally they do not discourage travel to Israel.  Additionally, it can be said that no place in the world is totally safe, however, Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, was just voted one of the best cities for travelers in the world by a major travel magazine. Prior to travel, we will make a routine check with the Consulates to be sure of the local situations.

EGYPT

Presently, Egypt is very safe (interestingly, there are no lines at any of the major museums, tourist attractions, the Great Pyramids,  etc.) in fact, a recent article in the New York Times said it is perhaps the best time ever to travel in Egypt.  So this year may be one of the very best times ever to travel to Egypt.  As with Israel, we will make a routine check with the Consulates to be sure of the local situation.

TURKEY

Many people are asking the question: Is it safe to travel to Turkey now that there is so much upheaval in the eastern Mediterranean countries?  The question is a good one.  To answer the question we pose another one: If there were trouble in Havana, would you cancel your trip to New York?  Think about it, major trouble in one country hundreds or thousands of miles away should not affect your travel plans to another country.  As with Israel and Egypt, we will make a routine check with the Consulates to be sure of the local situation.

Note the following comments from one travel expert: “I’m writing this from Istanbul in late March 2011. It’s as beautiful and welcoming as ever. No trouble. People here know what’s going on in Libya and other countries the same way I do: by watching the news and reading the newspapers. Other than that, there’s no effect.” The expert further writes: “It’s important to judge travel safety rationally, not emotionally.”

BCT is closely monitoring what is happing in the Middle East and thus far everything is a go with all of our travel arrangements as advertised.  If at any point there is a need to adjust the trip to the Bible Lands we will immediately inform you and keep you updated.   Therefore, we hope you can travel with BCT and enjoy a “trip of a lifetime.”   If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact BCT and we will be happy to assist you.

From: BCT Bible Lands Tours Organizers