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

I lived there for two years and loved it. If you go to a town it’s much calmer and more homely than towns in Morocco. More polite. Once I got pregnant and had kids I didn’t get harassed. Harassment wasn’t aggressive but it was annoying.

For me it’s not so much about the statistics on physical safety but the knowledge that I would be visiting somewhere where a large minority of people despised me just for existing. For being a woman, single, non-Muslim.

Being desperate for tourist money but having a corrupt and misogynistic culture with a large number of under employed men that despise tourists isn’t a good mix.

I have visited Turkey a lot. Lebanon, Jordan. Have lived in the Middle East. So it’s not about being anti Islamic or over worrying about safety. It’s about North African culture specifically. I didn’t like many parts of Morocco. No plans to visit any other part of North Africa.

I am sure it’s possible to have a safe and cheap holiday there by sticking to a decent hotel but I prefer to feel genuinely welcome as a visitor.

Clearly some opposing views on here. I’m glad others have had a good experience, however mine was dreadful.

It is the most unsafe I’ve ever felt whilst travelling. We did some trips that were interesting but otherwise a pretty dreadful holiday. We looked at leaving early it was that bad, mostly as: hotel (supposedly 5 star) was grim (ants in the room, bugs in the bed, grotty view of waste land, rude staff, questionable food, loud and relentless poolside ‘entertainment’), stepping outside the hotel was deeply unsettling I was followed, stared at, shouted at (wearing modest clothing and not trying to attract attention), when we went out the harassment to buy things was intense and so pushy, the driving was terrifying, the city was filthy. I’ve travelled extensively including other African countries and never experienced anything like it .

DS and (female) partner went earlier this year staying in b and bs and small hotels in different places. Took public transport everywhere. Visited various towns and cities, museums, churches, mosques, Carthage. Found it fascinating. Lovely food and wine. Minimal harassment. They loved it.

I went with two small children last year. I've visited Northern Africa before and been harassed, and had read about the terrorist attacks so was a bit wary/on my guard. However it was the only place that was warm and in budget for the dates we had so I went and honestly we had a lovely time. The hotel was typical AL, nice pools, family friendly food and entertainment etc, we did a trip out to El Jem and a mosque to see at least some of the culture and I wasn't harassed in the slightest. Perhaps because I'm older/had children with me or perhaps because we were on a hotel organised tour whereas previously I was on more of a backpacking budget.

This year we went to Egypt. Personally I preferred Tunisia.

And I've actually experienced exceptional emergency healthcare there ...

You know of one case in an entire country yet look at how many children are impacted by piss poor medical care in the UK...

& with that I wish them all the very best… not an informed or wise decision to willingly undertake medical care out there but it takes all sorts! Nowhere near western standards in terms of regulation, cleanliness etc. There is a marked increase in antibiotic resistant ‘super bugs’ in that region for a reason. Absolutely not worth risking your life for the sake of saving a few ££££.

Source: I am a HCP who has seen the dire consequences. Know of a child who ended up on dialysis last year after experiencing ecoli poisoning in Tunisia, undiagnosed of course until she got back to the UK for proper care - she will have kidney damage for life. I cannot fathom why people think these sorts of destinations are a good idea.

Do you travel to London or Manchester?

The healthcare is fantastic, did you experience it at all?

Many Brits fly their purely for healthcare...

I travelled all over by local public transport and had zero issues.

I've bee multiple.times, one of the better countries for women as long as you aren't a Tunisian solo mother. They are very forward thinking including being very forward thinking with designing going forwards their city spaces for women.

Respect the local cultures (don't walk outside a resort in a bikini) and you will find an awesome.friendky culture with rich traditions

We went to Tunisia all inclusive when DD was 1.2. It was £400 per adult, nothing for her. The hotel and food were amazing! But we were advised not to leave the resort.

We wouldn’t go back: we prefer exploring and walking holidays in Italy etc.

But if you want something cheap and warm and not to leave the hotel, it’s perfect!

I think it’s such a shame to choose an all inclusive resort in Tunisia when there are so many lovely local restaurants which serve really delicious North African food rather than the more international type you get in an AI resort. I think Tunisian wine is very under rated as well as the food and we’ve found some really good wine, especially in more recent visits.

Beautiful beaches. The people are wonderful. Food was amazing. We chose to go as was £1k cheaper for 2 weeks all inclusive versus others - it was on a par with Turkey. The climate versus Turkey was SOOOO much better. August and Turkey evenings you’re sat in a pool of sweat. Tunisia is dry Mediterranean heat so none of that. We love Turkey and the Turkish people but August (due to kids) has ruled out the return. However, Tunisia - pick a great hotel as there isn’t loads to do outside of the complex. We went to Hammamet for the day with a guide and that was great.
We had a great time and would recommend it for those who want a hotel complex holiday, amazing food, great people and small interest in a lot of adventures. Perfect August climate too!
when we left the complex, didn’t find men an issue. Also the beach terrorism was appalling and beyond awful. Lots of places have had attacks and this was a decade ago.

It was always cheaper, even before the terrorist attack in 2015

its tourist trade was devastated for a number of years and it’s stayed cheap

It was a very popular tourist destination especially during the winter with lots of people going annually until a lone man launched an attack. But all hotel staff were brilliant at protecting everyone and the man was eventually caught. People are naturally cautious but I would definitely go. I went as a child with my family and we had an amazing time. Now it’s cheaper and you’ve reminded about it as a destination I’ll happily go again and will look at going there over the winter. Locals are really lovely as are the staff in hotels who will go out of their way to look after you after what happened. It won’t happen again because it was one crazy man.

And if you can't, then you're a big fucking problem..

Again, that does not engage with the question of what is and is not, in your opinion, appropriate to do in response to being offended.

It was in a different continent. I've had far worse in the UK.

Hotel was fine but so much hassle outside in the souks etc. This was before the terrorist attack. Men following me everywhere (and I was with exh and am not attractive!) - touching, grabbing.

The Gambia was much nicer and the people a lot friendlier without being pests!

Whether she was dressed appropriately or not, that was no reason to spit on her. In what world do you think mob rule is ever acceptable?

You can be offended without assaulting people. And if you can't, then you're a big fucking problem.

She was dressed inappropriately for where she was at the time. Nothing to do with the middle ages.

The pp was not in the UK when it happened. Your concerns about asylum seekers aren't relevant to this thread.

WTF?!! Dressed inappropriately - get a grip or go back to the middle ages. Fuck me

Perhaps it could be that western women with our ways of behaviour are very insulting to Muslims in a Muslim Country ?

Look I know Tunisia is hard. They want our Tourism , but still baulk at our attitudes, dress codes and behaviour , they are muslim and dont like our ways

When I first travelled to Turkey , which at the time was secular ( now changing ) bikinis were just being accepted and topless was only accepted in hotels - not beaches. And girls were getting hassled and assaulted left right and centre. Because back then, these muslim guys, moving from mid country to work the resorts for the season, were bought up to believe that women with it all hanging out - Ie what we see as normal beach /resort wear , were whores

Women didnt work in the resorts, no waitresses, receptionists, shop staff - all male.The women only ever did the behind the scenes work - laundry , cleaners