Comment: Why one travel professional had 'no qualms' about holidaying in Tunisia

There was a frustration bordering on anger and a sense of betrayal of the Tunisian people, so many of whom depend upon tourism to make a living, with the advice from the FCO about all but essential travel to Tunisia from the UK.

The Tunisians to whom I spoke were quick to point out that other countries had suffered similar terrorist outrages, and in the wake of those, travellers had been actively encouraged to visit. After 9/11 were people told not to visit New York? Quite the reverse. Why in Tunisia’s case was the advice so different?     

I, for one, had no qualms about visiting this corner of North Africa. Whilst respecting the fact that the FCO don’t impose travel bans for no reason, I decided that my holiday was ‘essential’. Whilst there I never felt unsafe. The military police offered to accompany me to my hotel in Tunis. I declined. I hired a car. I took the train. I had a dedicated armed police ‘watch’ on the beach; admittedly by default, as there were no other tourists with whom to share him.

And I was so happy to have visited.  The beaches were as fabulous as ever, the weather consistently superb, the hospitality overwhelming, the home cooking full of flavour, the wines much improved, the tourist sights deserted and the very favourable exchange rate a tremendous boost to my holiday spending. A holiday to Tunisia represents astonishingly good value for money; I got to thinking how far my state pension would go.

But I’ll be back long before then. Hopefully holidaymakers will recall Tunisia’s considerable assets if and when the travel ban is lifted. Whilst I was there Thomson and Thomas Cook announced plans to resume flying in spring 2016, although that will, of course, be dependent upon a change in the FCO advice. And when that change comes, I’m sure that the Tunisian people will be as forgiving and welcoming as ever."