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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you would holiday in Tunisia?

85 replies

JimmyJones · 10/11/2018 15:27

I’m fairly risk-averse but not overly worried about terrorism (as in, it will happen or it won’t, I worry more about putting my seatbelt on and checking my CO2 monitors, that sort of thing).

My lovely DPILs are planning to treat us all to a family holiday and the destination has just been revealed. Tunisia! They have been there before (perhaps 10 years ago) and loved it. I’m apprehensive.

AIBU? I don’t have to go, obviously, but it would be a big thing to then refuse to let the DCs go. I’m just not sure how relaxed I’d be, but that’s the point of what terrorists do I guess? I holidayed in London when the IRA were active. Words of wisdom please?

The area they’re planning on has an “exercise a high degree of caution” advisory.

OP posts:
AnneElliott · 10/11/2018 15:28

No I wouldn't. I've been to Tunisia and loved it, but would not take the risk now.

teaandtoast · 10/11/2018 15:28

No.

blue25 · 10/11/2018 15:29

No, for several reasons. Mostly that I've been before and thought it was horrible. It's cheap for a reason!

Lonelynessie · 10/11/2018 15:29

No.

Jason118 · 10/11/2018 15:32

When are you thinking of going?

BrokenFlipflop · 10/11/2018 15:32

No. I've been and really did not like it. I certainly wouldn't go again.
I'd take the FCO advice seriously - there are other places offering a similar break.

MrsStrowman · 10/11/2018 15:35

Not at the moment I wouldn't, I'm not especially risk averse, we were driving around Mexico ten months ago, at night, off the main routes , stopping in tiny little towns, all the things they tell you not to do. We also went to Morocco a few years ago, drove from Marrakech to Essaouira on the back routes and explored parts of Marrakech we probably shouldn't have. It gives my dad palpitations when we go away...

JessicaPeach · 10/11/2018 15:37

If that's the foreign office advice will you even be able to book a package holiday there?

MemoryOfSleep · 10/11/2018 15:37

No.

Original poster
JimmyJones · 10/11/2018 15:39

Thinking of going in April/May.

If it was up to me I wouldn’t go, no way no how (and nor would the children). Obviously I’m in control here as neither they nor I can be forced to leave the country without my permission! But the question is whether I’m risk averse enough to upset everyone by saying hey, I’m not going there!

OP posts:
Original poster
JimmyJones · 10/11/2018 15:40

@jessicapeach yes package hols are operating there again Sad

OP posts:
Aquilla · 10/11/2018 15:40

No, but I also avoid Paris, Berlin etc for the same reason with small children.

bofsy1 · 10/11/2018 15:41

I would not go, but it has nothing to do with terrorism, that can happen anywhere.

I went there many years ago, before the uprising and ousting of Ben Ali.

I don't think much has changed since. Patriarchal society, leering at women, love rats taking advantage of so called "wealthy" Western ladies, constant hassle in the shops and outside restaurants to lure you in. Relentless.

And of course the fact that anywhere outside the "Compound/Hotel" is at your own risk. Some will think I am being over dramatic, but I just was not comfortable there at all. Beaches are gorgeous, but you can get a beach anywhere.

Tunisia needs to sell itself as a safe, welcoming tourist destination, if that's your thing, but for now, no way would I ever set foot in a Muslim country. Sorry, no offence intended, but that is their way of life and it is incompatible with mine. On edge would be how I would describe it. Scams all the way.

Up to them to sort it out.

Mulligrubs · 10/11/2018 15:43

Absolutely not, I last went in 2013 (before the last major terrorist attack) and I didn’t like it at all then so no way would I go anywhere near it now.

McDougal · 10/11/2018 15:43

It depends on where. Current foreign advice is to avoid the border areas and security has been increased in all of the tourist areas.

The country's economy has been massively affected by the loss of tourism following the terror attack so it's in their interests to up security as much as possible in order to get tourism going again.

I'd go but obviously be very mindful of foreign office advise and be insured to the absolute hilt.

Bellabutterfly2016 · 10/11/2018 15:44

I've been but about 15 years ago, I'm not sure I'd go now tho but very nice of them to treat you.
Perhaps you could suggest somewhere else??

Original poster
JimmyJones · 10/11/2018 15:46

I’m not sure I'd go now tho but very nice of them to treat you.

I know! It’s lovely! Hence my dilemma, not wanting to seem ungrateful!

OP posts:
TorchesTorches · 10/11/2018 15:46

My PIL went earlier in the year to a golf resort and they had a good time. They were safe, but i personally wouldn't go, for the reasons bofsy said.

Longdistance · 10/11/2018 15:50

I went in 2014, and hated it. The beach was awful. People were stubbing their cigarette butts out in the sand 🤢

NorthernKnickers · 10/11/2018 15:50

I hated it...didn't feel safe at all going out with my two female friends. Men were leering and leching at us all the time. It was also very dirty...and we got hygiene related illnesses that completely ruined (well, further ruined, as we already hated it!!) the last 4 days of the 7 night holiday. All three of us ended up staying off work for another week as we were poorly. Probably shouldn't have flown home, but no way in hell were we staying another night there!!!

YANBU to say no way!

AlexaShutUp · 10/11/2018 15:53

Hmm, difficult one.

I wouldn't go, I'm afraid. Yes, terrorism can happen anywhere, but some places are higher risk than others and I don't think I'd be able to relax.

I'm pretty laid back generally and not particularly risk averse. I've travelled a lot and been to some fairly unstable places. I just I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I went and something happened.

Hoppinggreen · 10/11/2018 15:54

No I wouldn’t
I don’t think it’s safe now. I went about 15 years ago when it was supposed to be “safe” and I hated it
I have travelled quiet widely and it’s the only place I felt uncomfortable. We were with another couple and we were harassed as soon as our husbands were even 100 yards away rather than next to us and we were regularly told to F off when we wouldn’t buy from street vendors
I’m not an “all inclusive in Benidorm” kind of girl so I prefer to be out and about seeing what a country is actually like but it was the only place I’ve been where I felt I had to stay in the hotel.

Jason118 · 10/11/2018 15:55

I wouldn't go near the beginning of April - travel is likely to be all over the place due to Brexit

DTSMUMBOJO · 10/11/2018 16:00

No. There are still big problems in Libya and border controls between the two are pretty much non-existent.

I'm also with bofsy, I didn't travel to South Africa in the 80s because a large part of their population were denied rights based on their colour. I'm sure as hell not going to a country which does the same on the basis of sex - that rules out all Muslim countries.

It actually turns my stomach a bit when people go on holiday to nasty little tinpot dictatorships and pour money into their coffers which allows them to oppress their people. But, hey, who cares when the shopping is so great. Confused

Stars1979 · 10/11/2018 16:02

Brexit? Tunisia isn’t in the EU?! I went in September with my 8 month old, shock horror! My husband is Tunisian and we went to see the family. Stayed in a resort though and was absolutely fine, very busy compared to earlier years. The advisory from the FO was lifted last year advising against travel but like anywhere there is an element of risk as there would be travelling to London. I felt very safe. I just advise you stay in a nice resort and a very nice hotel as some of them are a bit run down these due to lack of money.