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

Trigger warning- assault I have travelled solo twice to Tunisia and stayed both times at the Royal Kenz Hotel and Spa.
the first time was lovely, I met some amazing fellow holiday makers, went on several trips and yes did get some hassle from Tunisian Men and at times it felt relentless especially in the Markets.
the second time, it was horrendous, the constant unwanted attention and when in the tourist shops near the resort the ment would try and persuade you to go in their car to their other shop.
Also, in the Hotel Spa, despite having female staff on reception, hairdressers and nail salon - it was male staff in the actual spa. I did not know this until I got in there. I was the only person in there and was assaulted (I froze). The moment he left me to get something I was able to leave.
i was too scared to pursue it further as he and the other male staff would walk past my room at the end of their shift laughing (ground floor room). Plus. I also knew deep down I wouldn’t be believed if I tried to.

It’s because of the risk of terror attacks…

When we went about 4 years ago, as a blonde haired blue eyed woman I was continually hissed at, spat at, and other odd things. This was whilst with my husband and child. Beach was patrolled by armed men. Huge assault rifles whilst sunbathing are not the one! Ended up just staying in the confinement of the hotel in the end.

It's not because they are Muslim countries 🙄 it's because they are unsafe.

Other Muslim countries that are safer have tourists.

I guess the more important question is, why would you WANT to go to Tunisia?

If it's because it's cheap, then knock yourself out.

I personally don't wish to visit and thus fund countries where VAWG and corruption are rife.

Oh and no harassment of women. The staff are very polite and respectful. Although I haven’t left the resort and don’t intend to or need to as it sits right on the beach.

I’m here right now. Best holiday I’ve had in a while. Hotel is fantastic.

We don’t know how well they did because we don’t know how many attacks were foiled.

For me the difference is that I believe the British authorities are extremely determined to stop terror attacks whereas I don’t believe the Tunisians are particularly bothered about what might happen to despised Western tourists. Their economy might depend on tourism - I don’t know - but the behaviour and attitudes of most Tunisians would seem to imply that they don’t like tourists and are not prepared to modify their dislike for the sake of their economy.

I went once as a poor twenty something in 2006. There was delightful moments but also grotty bits. We stayed in awful budget places for nothing. BUT the Bardo museum (where the terrorists struct in 2015) was incredible. We saw huge stunning Roman mosaics. Better than Naples museum. Following candles through the medina at night to reach a lovely restaurant was also a highlight, visiting Carthage, but I remember coming home saying I wouldn’t go back.

Morocco is far, far better.

Absolutely not. Went there as a teen, was harassed and groped by the waiters. Horrible experience.

The IRA attacks were just an example and the Harrods bombing was one that was close to home because my mother in law was in Harrods when the bomb went off. But if course there have been more recent incidents hwre - the British authorities didnt do too well in countering the Manchester arena attack,, did they? I think thst is a very fair comparison.

We went shortly before the terrorist attacks to the same area. I really didn't like Tunisia. I wasn't hassled but I did see other people being hassled.

I just found it really boring tbh. It didn't help that it was over 40 degrees when we went and it was too hot to do anything.

We went in 1985. I would never go back. The dirt, the cockroaches and the hassle every time we left the hotel spoiled it for us.

I went 13 years ago, I can't remember what part.
I hated it, we did two day trips organised by our rep (don't have those anymore!) and they advised us to only book trips via them as it wasn't safe to leave the resort otherwise. The one booked trip was the most dangerous taxi ride, there are several abandoned or half built then abandoned hotels for every functioning one.
The hotel next to ours was abandoned, I was very keen to explore it but wasn't brave enough to get a gun pointed at me by the armed police.
You are harassed at every shop door, you don't enter a shop unless you buy (anything! It's what we were advised) and you have to tip the resort workers constantly.
I didn't actually mind the tipping because they get such poor wages and if you stay on the resort it's fine. They are extremely helpful (because they want tips) and there's an invisible border down the beach where the 'sellers' aren't allowed to come past so again, don't wander too far down and they can't harass you.
Go past the invisible line and you'll have purchased several necklace/brackets/hats/materials before you've even got to the sea edge.
I also went as part of a large group, more men and young children. I would dread to think what it would be like as female only travellers.

It's really odd how PP are reporting such opposite experiences of the place!

People kept saying they hoped you had a boy!!! Well, doesn't that just say it all. 😡 I'm not giving my business to these countries who despise us just because we have the "wrong" chromosomes. Fuck that. I'd a million times rather have a staycation.

There is a heightened risk of attacks there which is ongoing and I think there have been a lot of global events which have exacerbated the risk. It's a shame as there is lots to see and do. I've been twice but that was 20 yrs ago and loved it. Dh says that men did stare at me but I don't recall being harassed and we did trips to the south with a local company. The second time I was pregnant and everyone just kept congratulating me and saying they hoped I had a boy. I have to say I wouldn't go back againnin the current political climate.

Cos it's a fucking horrible place to go to

I agree. If I had to go for work…OK.

But a holiday is meant to be enjoyable, for heaven’s sake!

My husband has worked in Egypt a lot and from his accounts of what his female colleagues experienced, I’ll give North African countries a swerve, thanks.

The IRA is a minimal threat these days.

Maybe people have more trust in the British authorities to counter terror attacks than the Tunisian government and their agencies, I know I do!

Not a fair comparison at all.

That's no reason to SPIT on her!!!!

I'd agree, I was disappointed with Carthage but there were many other incredible archaeological sites in Tunisia so overall it was amazing.

I went on a Voyage Jules Verne tour (with my mother) two years before the attack and on a couple of days we didn't go on the additional excursions but went to a local museum/site instead. Felt a little harrassed by people wanting to sell things, but was never groped or sexually harrassed.

None of these poor countries with hassling men appeal to me. Give me the lakes and mountains of civilised Switzerland any day.

In my late twenties I had a great trip backpacking there. Much less hassle from men than in Morocco or Egypt, even in rural areas with little European tourism. That was around the times of the terrorist attacks and there was some ISIS graffiti around. As others have mentioned, it very much depends on the kind of holiday you're used to, what you wear and where you stay/how you travel.

The only time I felt uncomfortable was on a very long shared taxi ride with several armed checkpoints where the driver held onto our passports to present them. He didn't speak any English to explain what was going on. That was a long way of the tourist routes at a time of high tensions, though

Gosh! Just saw the last post. Very odd. I’m not Muslim and in my time at work there was never never treated as lowlier for not being Muslim! I speak French so talked frequently and deeply with many many people from all walks of life and was struck by the calmness and friendly warmth of the country. They’re not interested in tourism, just want a calm and happy life. They’re proud of never having a war with anyone.