AIBU to wonder why holidays to Tunisia are so much cheaper?

The terrorist attack was 11 years ago. There have been more terrorist attacks in the UK since then.

The terrorist attack on the beach put people off, people cancelled that year. I don’t think it’s any worse than Marrakech in terms of hassle.

Tunisia is cheaper than comparable countries such as Morocco and Egypt. It's also really nice! It's easy to get caught up in the narrative of a country being unsafe due to one or two awful attacks - but many countries, including the UK, have occasional attacks sadly, but that doesn't make the country unsafe overall. I travel a lot for work and also for fun, and I don't want to take unecessary risks, so I also look for facts over feelings. The global terrorism index takes an objective look at real risk based on attacks, casualties, deaths etc. At the moment, Tunisia is at number 50 in the world. The UK, France, Greece, Sweden, the USA and Australia are all much higher up the list - in other words, more dangerous. Here is a link to have a look www.visionofhumanity.org/maps/global-terrorism-index/#/

That beach attack puts me off for some reason . I know I’m probably being ridiculous and it was ages ago but it was just particularly horrifying and it’s the first thing I think of when I think of holidays in Tunisia .

Most people don't rule out holidays to 'developing' nations just because of that. Some choose them because they're cheaper. Most such countries are in warm, sunny climate zones, making them attractive to holidaymakers. Many people relish opportunities to broaden their horizons by visiting different lifestyles and cultures. Having children with you often breaks down social barriers, even more so if they get the chance to play with local children.

You'd have good reasons to travel only to economically 'developed' nations; others have different priorities. I freely admit to being pissed off that my horizon-broadening exploits are more limited than a man's, but that's to do with global patriarchy, not economics.

Would it be OK if it was an expensive, sunny all inclusive in a third world country?

For some people the thought of a cheap, sunny all inclusive cancels out the fact that they’re travelling to a third world country.. Personally I think it’s madness, especially with DC in tow.

Remember the Arab spring/uprising a few years ago with shooting tourists on the beach? Local Muslims objected to the tourist industry as the lifestyle was against their religion. It happened after I was there on holiday, tourists were shot on the very beach I had been on. I'll never go there again.

It’s far from an isolated incident. I was simply giving you an example. Aside from this, it’s a well known fact that antibiotic resistant bacteria are far more common on the African continent - not a good idea to get elective surgery or treatment there. I’m glad that your emergency care went well.

It can be cold out of season so that's why it's cheap. I went solo in the summer - stayed in all inclusive, did some diving, booked a highly recommended taxi driver to do Carthage and the souk.

Do people think it’s in the ME?

I’ve been to London and Turkey and would not compare the 2 in any way. I never got leered at or groped like I did in Turkey were I was nearly gang raped and thrown to the floor like a piece of shit, they only stopped as a English guy intervened which to be honest I could see him contemplating it and was closed to walking by

We went 40 years ago, in a luxury hotel near Carthage, in a group of about 20 families, some with children. The hotel was good, food good, if you were prepared to eat unusual foods. Service was bizarre with staff just not always available. No one felt safe going out side the hotel unless in a group. Going into Tunis, the poverty was shocking, disabled beggers everywhere, in the souks women being harassed, coffee shops, men only, in fact very few females seen out. Coach trips out, coaches turning up late, if at all, just generally shambolic organisation. Nice weather, interesting to see a different culture, lots of history around Carthage. Oh, and loads of cockroaches. If you are going to an AI hotel, and dont want to venture out much you may be ok, personally, would not go back, no matter how cheap.

It’s because women are second class citizens there and western women are objectified. It’s run down and unkept and the men have nothing better to do but hang around outside in groups.

Yes, I’m completely serious. I’ve lived in London all my life and have travelled to North Africa enough times to be able to make a reasonable comparison of my experiences.

You can't be serious??? Honestly....

Went on honeymoon 20plus years ago and never encountered harassment or anything actually really enjoyed it and our 5 star hotels in both Por El Kantaoui and Hammamet were fantastic but again that was over 20 years ago so maybe things have changed.

Fair enough, I think you are makes the same point. I don’t have a landline any more and avoid anywhere where pressure sales people operate.

I’ve experienced just as bad harassment in London with chuggers, beggars, and other persistent sales people. I actually find it more intrusive and annoying when I get call after call on my landline at home from people trying to scam me than I’ve ever found in Tunisia, Egypt, or Morocco.

Of course terrorist attacks happen everywhere, but the main issue with the one in Tunisia is that it was reported that the (armed!) security guards ran away and left the tourists on the beach to die...That's why the death toll was so high. So it's likely you won't be kept safe if the sh*t does hit the fan - they don't get paid enough to put their lives at risk.

@Growlybear83

i guess we all like different things. When you say “of course there is harassment when you are walking around” it’s enough for me to not go there. The level of harassment with which that I am comfortable is zero.

So I was to blame at the age of 12 for playing on the beach wearing a Speedo costume!

I suspect it's okay as long as you're a savvy traveller who covers up. I got hassled in Morocco and Turkey until I started to wear a sarong as a headscarf any time I went out. It was like magic - suddenly I wasn't hassled any more. I appreciate that most western women on holiday probably don't want to do this, but if you want to visit a Muslim country I highly recommend covering up and wearing a headscarf. The change in attitude from men was like night and day - from leering to not even looking.

Bottom line is, if you are happy to go to countries that treat their women abominably, where men are top of the apex, where corruption in public and private life is rife, where poverty is the norm unless you have connections, where hygiene is often questionable, and most of all, if you wish to support a corrupt Government, off you go.

Many are not willing to do this, and it's not just about Tunisia either.

Wouldn’t go there (or Egypt) again. Too much hassle, wasn’t relaxing at all. Yes, hotel was nice to look at, but that was all. Didn’t enjoy leaving the hotel (modestly dressed).
I work with some absolutely amazing people from Tunisia (men and women, in professional roles, some very religious, others not), who are fond of their country… but don’t want to live there. Or visit. They say it is just getting worse every time they have to go (family).