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

I had a similar experience to many on here. The unwanted male attention, the filthy streets, the hassle in any of the souks… I certainly wouldn’t consider returning. I don’t care how cheap it is!! Just dreadful.

@Argentinasnargentina , my then mixed heritage partner got attention. He had the sort of looks where you couldn't guess the heritage.

so that makes it ok to spit on someone? I am just concerned that these are the type of men that are seeking asylum in the U.K. if this is how they view seeing shoulders

I have been and wouldn't ever go back. The hotel wasn't that clean, the food was inedible and what wasn't finished at breakfast was served again at lunch / dinner. The holiday was only made enjoyable because all of the guests in the hotel got together in the evenings and had a laugh. There was no entertainment, we just sat and chatted and smoked / drank.

Outside of the hotel was very dirty. I was hassled, spat at, screamed at inside a souk and locked inside a bag shop. There are many many other places to go to which would be much more relaxing.

@Any1ForTennis , Oh, and a man tried to spit on me for showing cleavage/shoulders while I was walking down the street in a tourist area! You were dressed inappropriately.

I used to live there, have visited many times since. I love Tunisia and the Tunisians.

Loads of woman have bad experiences in they counties, maybe it’s more common in Muslim countries?

I went years ago, the hassle and constant scammers put me off ever going back. That was with DH sticking to me like a limpet the whole time so it must be terrifying if you don't have a man with you for protection. There was a lovely little harbour surrounded by shops and you couldn't move for being surrounded by agressive hawkers. I've been to Turkey several times which is bad enough for hassling but Tunisia was really on a whole new and very sinister level. Oh, and a man tried to spit on me for showing cleavage/shoulders while I was walking down the street in a tourist area!

Within a week of getting home, there was a horrendous terrorist attack on tourists at the beach/hotel we were staying at which put me off ever returning.

It’s a developing country with poor infrastructure and a lack of good healthcare should anything go wrong. Absolutely not worth a cheap holiday.

We were there 20 years ago and I was repeatedly harassed, even with DH by my side. The attitude of the local men was frankly disgusting. Completely unsafe for women.

Same here.

I went 2014. Didn't feel hassled once. Very nice people. Great holiday and fabulous overnight trip to Sahara desert. Lovely memories.

Because it’s an absolute shit hole and the men are Pervy creeps! I was there for 2 weeks and wanted to come home after the 3rd day. Worst holiday I’ve ever been on

The standards of hotels are also not as high as Europe.
I stayed in 2 and 3 hotels and they were clean and comfortable. They were really nice.

My mum was around 34/35, she was stunning-long blonde hair, blue eyes, very slim etc, she’s always had attention. Whereas I was 12, dark hair and was hassled and stared at constantly, no one even bothered with my mum. Would never go back and definitely not with my young Dd!

Ive travelled solo all over the Islamic middle east (including Syria, Iran, Turkey, and the Emirates, plus Morocco and Egypt. Ive been travelling to visit friends in Morocco since the 1960s when it was not a tourist destination. Ive always worn an approximation of what the local women wear - long dark gown and a head covering. Only once had a bit of hassle in the souk in Marrakesh. Most of the time I got ignored. I walked past a group from the same cruise boat in Aswan and they did not even recognise me. They were being hassled by shopkeepers and guides. I was always treated with respect.

Because it’s not a nice place to travel to. I wouldn’t go back if I was paid to

This!

@DallazMajor , I've been a few times and would definitely go again. Loved it.
I think it depends on the resort.

For context, when I went I was in my early 30s, slim (but with a bust), reasonably attractive and blonde. I went outside the resort alone and with my partner and got no hassle whatsoever.
I've had hassle in other countries including the UK.

I loved the food, go half-board, and I was not ill. Did lots of trips and they mean a long time on a mini-bus.
If you go on a ferry, it's a bit primitive.

I didn't like Port El Kantaoui - it's very much a tourist resort. Sousse was better but I wouldn't choose to go there again, but I think the hotel might have been part of it.
Port El Kantoui and Sousse are very close.

we have been three times

First time to Sousse, Id never go back there again, it was hell

Even though we dressed appropriately , we would be spat at in the street and on one occasion we were separated in a shop my three men, trying to force us to buy snide fags - DH had to use his fist , grabbed me and we legged it

However the hotel was out of this world, the food was amazing , good entertainment etc, was just a bit strange having secuirty parading along the beach

2nd and third time we went we went to Port El Kantaoui , which is a purpose built resort so a lot more relaxed , a lot less hassle anywhere and we often went out and ate out and shopped with about the same hassle as you would get in Turkey, we never felt scared or intimidated there

We stayed at the Royal Kenz , which shared the beach with the hotel where the attack took place, we walked down the side of that hotel to reach the beach

We would go for a cheap week, end of summer, flop on a sunbed and sleep holiday

I would always wear a once piece swimsuit and ensured I had a cover up when I needed to get up from sunning myself and walk to the loo , and tbh most of the women who had been before were of the same mind

Alcohol is strictly controlled and that usually brings the wealthier men in to the hotels at night to drink, and yep they can be leary

Tunisa can be a complete culture shock. They need tourism and they have to cater for western taste, but it is a Muslim country. Its also a pretty poor country and a waiter in a hotel can earn more then a Doctor - because of our tipping

Going on organised trips really is the safest option, its not a country Id be will to go DIY . But for a flop/sleep/eat/recharge holiday - its very good value for money

If I really wanted a sun holiday I wouldn't hesitate on returning , only our needs have changed and that type of holiday no longer appeals

Have you been there or Egypt? Seems like it’s Muslim countries you have a problem with

I also went in 89/90 with my family, I was only 12, nearly 13 and was constantly harassed. I developed quite early, but was still obviously a young girl, not 16/18. I remember I wore a covered Speedo swimsuit, not even bikinis and was stared at and followed everywhere, it was frightening. Even in the hotel resort I was stalked by an 18 year old, security had to keep him out and warned my parents, it was awful, I didn’t really understand it at all, I was Year 6!

There was a thread on Reddit not long ago about whether to go to Tunisia. Almost every response complained about the relentless harassment tourists received, and sexual harassment.

It used to be lovely. I went in my early 20s to Hammamet on the recommendation of a student in my French A level class who was Tunisian and said it was very European and you could wear short skirts and shorts there. This was in early 90s. It was great and no I wasn’t bothered, well
not much and I’m dark blonde, just went with a friend on a beach holiday. Would I go again? Probably not now.

Thanks, @HermioneWeasley! I can probably live my final years without crap food, disappointing ruins and sulky Tunisians.

It was heavily, HEAVILY, impacted by what happened in sousse. It is slowly recovering but nowhere near where it used to be.
Was not harassed. But it is poor outside of the hotels.
The standards of hotels are also not as high as Europe.

Turkey is much more developed and nicer.