The head of Tunisia’s national tourist office in the UK has told TTG she remains hopeful British holidaymakers may yet be able to travel to Tunisia this summer.
Wahida Jaiet, director UK and Ireland of the Tunisian National Tourist Office (TNTO), said the Tunisian government’s decision to reclassify the UK a "green" country and lift its inbound travel restrictions on UK arrivals would come as a relief for Brits keen to plan holidays in Tunisia, and Tunisian nationals in the UK hoping to visit friends and family.
However, any rebound will rely on the Foreign Office exempting Tunisia from its global advisory against all non-essential travel, and the Department for Transport lifting the UK’s 14-day quarantine on arrival requirement for those returning from Tunisia.
"This good news, for sure," said Jaiet. "we remain positive and confident the [UK] authorities will reconsider their position and lift the current restriction."
Jaiet added she hoped airlines and tour operators would be ready to meet demand for travel to Tunisia, once the UK lifts its restrictions.
"I hope the decision will come soon enough to secure at least some good sales for September and October," she said.
Tunisia had previously classified the UK as an "orange" country. This meant UK residents travelling to the country were required to provide evidence of a negative PCR (antigen) test for coronavirus taken no more than 72 hours before departure, and to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival at their own expense.