TOURISM IN TUNISIA

[Shed-on-a-Pole]

Expect major changes to tourist programmes serving Tunisia in Summer 2015 and beyond. Today's terrorist attacks at the Bardo Museum in Tunis which have seen 19 people (including 17 tourists) murdered and many more injured represent a major blow to Tunisia's tourist industry. Obviously, the implications for those families directly affected must always be our paramount concern, but for the purposes of PPRuNe discussion the consequences for airlines and tour operators serving the country must be considered.

One supposes that holidaymakers will now be much less inclined to select Tunisia for their summer vacation this year. And Foreign Office advice, insurance implications will require review. We will have to see over the coming weeks whether tour programmes planned for Tunisia are switched to alternative destinations or reduced in size.

A very sad day for those whose livelihoods depend on the tourist industry in Tunisia. We tourists can just alter our plans and travel elsewhere. Our airlines can redeploy capacity to other markets. But locals relying on the tourist industry face ruin.

Most of all, our thoughts must be with all the innocent people murdered today and with their families. As for the perpetrators of the carnage, I hope that the afterlife brings them more lusty virgins than they ever dreamed of. As long as the virgins in question are cockroaches. They deserve nothing better.

[Heathrow Harry]

I'm afraid terrorism is truly international now

but people still go to Bali, Israel, Egypt, London, Paris, New York, Madrid, Mumbai, Kenya, Sydney etc etc

[mockingjay]

Major world cities have immense pull and will always attract people.

To be honest less than a month ago 20 people were beheaded next door in Libya less than half a day's drive over a weak border to get to tourist resorts so I'm surprised people aren't more weary.

Tunisia is cheap, hot and has nice beaches. You can get that anywhere in Southern Europe. So it's perfectly understandable if people switch. Sharm (long overdue a terrorist attack - which will be launched from the sea) suffered a bit with the Arab Spring. When Sharm is attacked I'd imagine tourist numbers would fall significantly.

[Shed-on-a-Pole]

True, but in countries where tourism is heavily skewed towards organised groups, operators make the decisions rather than individual travellers. If itineraries to a country cannot attract sufficient business at an acceptable price the best course of action open to operators can be to withdraw the programme or switch-sell customers to alternative destinations. Tour organisers must also take liability into consideration. Tunisia is one of those countries which relies heavily on the goodwill of tour operators for a large proportion of its visitors.

Many visitors to London, Paris, Madrid, NY, Sydney etc. make individual travel arrangements. In destinations such as Tunisia where the decisions are often made by large tour operators, customers (however confident) will simply be informed that their preferred trip has been cancelled for security reasons. Would you like to be rebooked to (alternative destination) or receive a full refund?

Time is also a great healer. Tourism from Australia to Bali dipped sharply in the wake of the atrocity there, but numbers have recovered since. Likewise, most people have forgotten the attacks on foreign tourists in Djerba (Tunisia) many years ago but will probably be reminded of them tonight. Recovery can take many seasons. Kenya, which you mention on your list, hasn't come close to visitor levels seen when the major UK tour operators ran large charter programmes to Mombasa. They won't be back there in volume any time soon.

[Brian Equator]

Went to Port El Kantoui in 2005 after some people had raved about it, personally spent most of the week counting the hours till the coach back to the airport (the missus utterly loathed it),didn't exactly kiss the Tarmac on arriving back at EMA but even before today wouldn't have gone back if the holiday was free.

Sadly the highlight of the entire holiday was probably using the rear airstair on the Nouvelair DC9 on the outbound flight (First time I've used one since going on a Courtline BaC 1-11 in the early 1970's).

[Mr Angry from Purley]

Shed - will be interesting to see what the tour operators do in light of this attack. Comments about Sharm pretty spot on also. Many years ago worked with an airline that flew to Sharm and hurghada - we transferred crews by taxi between both places, right through a militant stronghold completely oblivious!!. All change these days such a shame

[crewmeal]

One of the problems that could see a downturn in tourism in Tunisia is the terrorist's possible links to ISIS. Because of the atrocities these evil scum carry out will surely send shivers across the whole tourism industry in the area.

It seems comments from DM readers may well reflect that.

[Travel Agent]

Tunis is rarely used as a destination by the British anyway with the exception of the resort of Gammarth - but that is mainly by French and some other Europeans anyway, there may be a change to some cruise itinearies. The likes of Hammamet and Port El Kantaoui etc are two hours drive away, we did not see a drop in enquiries / bookings for Tunisia yesterday. Once it is out of the news people quickly forget and are happy to have a cheap holiday!

[Shed-on-a-Pole]

Sadly, we must return to this theme following today's terrorist atrocity in Port El Kantouai / Sousse - the second large-scale attack to blight Tunisia in little over three months. Condolences once again to all those affected and their families.

From an industry viewpoint, surely some big decisions ahead for the major tour operators and airlines servicing the Tunisian tourist industry.

[vctenderness]

I was in Sousse in January at this very hotel, Marhaba.

We thought then that come the Summer season it would be ripe for this sort of attack.

It's a shame as Tunisia is a pretty liberal place and the locals seem to want a modern, non- Islamic country that attracts tourism.

Something will have to be done to halt these lunatics but I'm not sure what.

[mockingjay]

What a sad event. Thoughts with those involved and for the everyday locals which will suffer long term due to this. I fear this may be the end for mass tourism in the area for the foreseeable.

To be honest anyway in North Africa is off my list, as is Malta, the Southern shores of Cyprus and Sharm. All of these places are at high risk of an ISIS attack by crossing weak borders or a short sea crossing. Sharm, which lulls people into a false sense of security by being on a peninsular with a strong border however the attack will be launched by the sea. As all of the big hotels back on to the beach, it won't take much to cause utter carnage.

[Facelookbovvered]

Sadly for the local population Europe will vote with its feet, why take the risk, this is of course the objective of these lunatics.

Of course the uber cheap hotel rates offered to tour operators makes it an easy and cheap sell to the people who see the price rather than the value.

I see Jet2 are offering free change or refund

[Diverskii]

Thomson already bringing home some of their customers. A very quick response.

Here's four of six planned evacuation flights

http://i.imgur.com/sPq69CG.png

All left around 23:30 from MAN/LGW/DSA

[ZFT]

As always, terrorism is the winner.

I've no idea what the answer is but history shows that today's terrorist is tomorrows politician!

[Noxegon]

I was on the verge of booking a week there this October and am now evaluating alternatives. As others have said, it's just not worth the risk.

[crewmeal]

At this rate there will be limited choices for Brits to go on their hols around the Med. Terrorism has affected Egypt and Tunisia and in the past Turkey. Greece has it's problems with migrants in the Isles and almost broke. Cyprus has had issues in the past. So that leave Spain, Portugal and Italy.

I've booked a Nile Cruise in August. Here's to hoping!

[Rwy in Sight]

Noxegon[/B];9025972]I was on the verge of booking a week there this October and am now evaluating alternatives. As others have said, it's just not worth the risk.

Generally speaking or at least history has shown that once the attack happens the place is fairly safe either because terrorists want to spread their actions around or the state puts better security measures in place - the barn door theory.

Just a thought.

Rwy in Sight

[Shed-on-a-Pole]

Unfortunately, two major incidents just over three months apart suggests not in this case.

[Rwy in Sight]

Stand corrected (is this the right expression?)


Rwy in Sight

[LiamNCL]

TOM have brought just about all of their customers home from the resort , Tunisa will never be the same after yesterdays events unfortunatley and expect it to be dropped from a lot of summer programmes next year

[LadyL2013]

People refusing to go gives terrorists what they want. These attacks can and do happen everywhere.

[Heathrow Harry]

you could see the same happening at any beach resort from Australia to the Caribbean

not much you can do against a single nut case I'm afraid

[Dannyboy39]

From a purely business point of view, with Tunisia and also Greece in economic turmoil, these are two leisure markets served by primarily low cost carriers from the UK and also holiday companies in Germany, Ireland and Scandinavia etc.

If carriers pull out from these two markets, it'll drive airfares down elsewhere as assets are utilised even more in their core markets - more secure business environments. This will have an impact on the smaller carriers.

Sad state of affairs - tragic set of events yesterday.

[Shed-on-a-Pole]

Whilst individuals may choose to make a stand by travelling regardless, tour operators must run their programmes to destinations where high volumes of customers actually want to take a holiday. Most customers will not knowingly select a destination which they perceive to be dangerous. Programmes become unviable to operate.

[LiamNCL]

People do not want to holiday somewhere that is clearly unsafe , Wether terrorism wins or not its no good risking it with a chance of it happening again just to say " Terrorsim didnt scare me"

We live in a world where Terrorism doesnt scare me in my every day to day life in my own country but travelling to a less secure foreign country now does , I was in Sharm el Sheikh in October during a muslim festival and there was letters about the increased risk of a terrorist attack outside the resort its not what you want to see on holiday and people will now avoid Tunisia like the plague

[Trossie]

Generally speaking or at least history has shown that once the attack happens the place is fairly safe either because terrorists want to spread their actions around or the state puts better security measures in place - the barn door theory.

'7/7' and '21/7'?

Just a thought.

[Hotel Tango]

I'm not naive enough to think I'm safe anywhere these days. However, there are places which pose significantly more risk of attacks than others and I'm surprised that tourist still go to these riskier areas. There's no 100% guarantee but a little risk assessment of where one is going doesn't do any harm. North African resorts, among others, have long been struck off my "places-to-go" list. I do however feel for those countries and its people who depend so much on tourism.

[PAXboy]

Tunisia hotel attack: Anger at tour operator's cancellation policy for British travellers - News & Advice - Travel - The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/tunisia-hotel-attack-anger-at-tour-operators-cancellation-policy-for-british-travellers-10351365.html)

[crewmeal]

It's said that lightening doesn't strike twice. Tunisian authorities have drafted in extra police, called up reservists and brought in the military. The area will be heavily guarded and be like Fort Knox. Having said that there could always be a loose cannon as we've seen before.

Good luck to all those trying to preserve the tourist industry especially in Tunisia.

[Shed-on-a-Pole]

The problem now is that lightning has already struck twice in three months in Tunisia's case (the deadly museum attack and the beach atrocity). And the country has prior form (the attack on tourists in Djerba some years ago). The industry must allow for the likelihood that a third contemporary terrorism event in Tunisia is entirely possible.

[johnnychips]

Not forgetting the suicide bomber, foiled by vigilant hotel staff, who blew himself up on the beach in Sousse in Oct 13. I was in the hotel next door and the blast blew through my window. It didn't seem to put people off, perhaps because it was off-season and only in the news for a day or two.