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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
booellesmum · 10/11/2018 16:41

Definite no.
From GOV.UK website:

Recent incidents include:

on 29 October 2018, 15 security personnel and 5 civilians were injured in a bombing on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in central Tunison 8 July 2018, militants attacked security forces near Ghardimaou, close to the Algerian border. A number of Tunisian National Guard officers were killed. This follows separate media reports in early July 2018 of Tunisian security forces disrupting a terrorist group in Hammameton 31 March 2018, 2 Western tourists including one British national were attacked by an individual with a knife in the town of El Kef, in northwest Tunisia. They suffered non-life threatening injuries and a suspect was detained by the Tunisian policeon 1 November 2017, 2 traffic police officers in the Bardo area of central Tunis were attacked by an individual with a knife. One of the officers later died from their wounds. A suspect was detained by security forceson 11 May 2016, a number of suspected terrorists were killed or arrested during armed clashes with security forces in the Mnihla distric of greater Tunis and 4 national guards were also killed by a suicide bomb during a security operation in Tataouine in southern Tunisiain early March 2016, security forces repelled attacks by terrorists in Ben Guerdane, close to the Libyan border; over 60 fatalities resulted, the majority of which were terrorists; members of the security forces and civilians were also killedon 24 November 2015, 12 security personnel were killed in a suicide attack on a police bus on Avenue Mohammed V in central Tunison 26 June 2015, 38 foreign tourists were killed, including 30 British nationals, in a terrorist attack at Port El Kantaoui near Sousseon 18 March 2015, 21 tourists were killed, including a British national, in a terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum in the centre of Tunis

The Tunisian authorities regularly report that they have disrupted planned attacks and terrorist cells, and made arrests. The Tunisian authorities have improved security in tourist resorts and their ability to respond to a terrorist incident. Tunisian security forces have also improved and are better prepared to tackle terrorist threats than they were at the time of the 2015 attacks. But further attacks remain likely, including in places visited by foreigners such as tourist resorts. Attacks may be carried out by individuals unknown to the authorities, whose actions may be inspired by terrorist groups.

There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time. Keep up to date with this travel advice, and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Kidnap

There is a threat of kidnapping by groups operating in North Africa, particularly from Libya, Mauritania and groups originating in the Sahel. This includes Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-IM) and Daesh-affiliated groups, who may travel across the region’s porous border. There is a heightened risk of kidnap in border and remote desert areas of North Africa. Terrorist groups have kidnapped foreigners, government officials and civilians in the region for financial gain and for political leverage. Further kidnaps are likely.

Those engaged in tourism, humanitarian aid work, journalism or business sectors are viewed as legitimate targets. If you’re kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to serve as a protection or secure your safe release.

The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) also makes payments to terrorists illegal.

There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Find out more about theglobal threat from terrorism, how to minimise your risk and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.

InfantaSybilla · 10/11/2018 16:41

No because the foreign office really isn't selling it to me. I'm curious what the insurance cost would be though.

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tunisia

DaphneDiligaf · 10/11/2018 16:43

Nope. It was the only holiday I lost weight on I was so ill.

Frazzled2207 · 10/11/2018 16:46

Not with kids no. Possibly if I didn't have any.

ladydickisathingapparently · 10/11/2018 16:49

No. I went over 20 years ago and some aspects were wonderful (we travelled down into the Sahara, saw some incredible Roman sights like El Jem, and found the people friendly and hospitable) but I hated the cities and the hassling of tourists generally.

Yogagirl123 · 10/11/2018 16:51

If planes to Tunisia need to fly in EU airspace, of course Brexit could effect travel. It’s not as simple as Tunisia not being part of the EU.

Branleuse · 10/11/2018 16:54

I wouldnt, because my friend said that when she travelled there, people were openly offering little boys for sex to european tourists and it was upsetting.

Ive actually never heard of anyone having a nice holiday there

bofsy1 · 10/11/2018 16:57

Lots of other nice places to go to.

Would the exchange rate there entice anyone? I have no idea what it is, but seems to be great in Turkey (another no no place for me but that is Erdogan).

Penny wise, pound foolish sometimes.

Go and have a great time, but if you are not happy about TN I don't know how you can broach that with the benefactors!

MedSchoolRat · 10/11/2018 17:21

If they are off the Foreign Office don't-go list, then yes of course I'd go, if I fancy that kind of hol.

MorbidlyObese · 10/11/2018 17:23

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

sushisuperstar · 10/11/2018 17:29

Been there, hated it, wouldn't go back but not because of terrorism, I found it quite dirty. I wouldn't have chosen to go there myself, but had to go for other reasons. Of all the places to go I wouldn't go for Tunisia personally.

zebra · 10/11/2018 17:52

I would go, but then I have dragged my long suffering (now adult) children all over the world. Tunisia is pretty child friendly as North Africa goes.

Montsti · 10/11/2018 18:08

I wouldn’t go due mainly because I went 20 years ago with my sister and it was absolutely awful. We were leered at constantly...

And then there’s the very real threat of terrorism...

BlancheM · 10/11/2018 18:14

I wouldn't go for free, so no.

There's no point in going on holiday if you aren't looking forward to it.

OfDragonsDeep · 10/11/2018 18:26

I’d rather go to Great Yarmouth

gendercritter · 10/11/2018 18:34

There's been a thread on here this week about Egypt and there 90% of the responses were 'go. It's wonderful.' So mayne look there?

I know a few people who've been to Tunisia and hated it. It has a really bad reputation for being very dirty and the men being awful pests. I wouldn't go.

givemesteel · 10/11/2018 18:50

Noooooo way. Holidays in Tunisia and Egypt when I was younger and had less money. Hated both for the reasons people said, the sexual harassment and/or forceful harassment to get you to buy stuff.

Food terrible as well.

Hideous and stressful, how is that a holiday.

And then there is the terrorism.

You couldn't pay me to go and I'm very well travelled and enjoy going to different places.

1ndig0 · 10/11/2018 18:54

No I would not go there again. I went many years ago with then boyfriend (now DH). Hassle from men constantly, even though I was with him. It was Ramadan and there were screaming goats tied up for slaughter outside people’s houses of an afternoon. Also, even though it was Ramadan, the red light area in Sousse seemed to be excepted Vile place! I saw two men with one woman. So much for a time of abstinence. Bloody hypocrites. I felt very uncomfortable there and I’ve solo backpacked all over Asia. Don’t bother.

juneau · 10/11/2018 19:17

No, I wouldn't go. Tunisians were the single largest foreign group to join ISIS (and many have since returned home), and apart from a hotel on the beach I'm not sure what is really safe to do there. I know that Germans continued to go there after the mass murder of tourists on the beach, because 'their' hotels always had better security, apparently, but who wants to be a prisoner in their hotel compound? I'd much rather go somewhere I can leave the hotel and have a wander, go and eat in a restaurant in town, not be leered at or hissed at by the local men. Yes, it's cheap, cheaper than western Europe, but at what cost? I'd rather spend a bit more and feel safe or just go somewhere in the UK.

Purpletigers · 10/11/2018 19:22

I wouldn’t go and I’d explain why .

Whiskeyjar · 10/11/2018 19:28

My mum was there a few years before the attack and hated it

cptartapp · 10/11/2018 20:02

I've been twice several years ago with young DC. The beaches were wonderful and El Djem one of the most amazing sights I've ever seen. But I wouldn't go again now.

FantastikRik · 10/11/2018 20:08

I’m going against the grain here but we went on an AI holiday there in the summer with a couple of other families. We booked through Tui. The resort we stayed in was lovely but we didn’t venture out anywhere. Lovely beach which felt very secure - DC ranging from 16 - 3 all had a great time.

Resort very clean with lovely staff who were grateful that people are starting to return.

Sowhatifidosnore · 10/11/2018 20:13

No I wouldn’t, not with kids. And what’s the point in going somewhere when you have to stay in one compound and not see much of the country? You could be anywhere. Not remotely risk adverse by the way, grew up in a conflict and have travelled to Marrakesh etc with young kids, and travelled long haul on my own, backpacked around Oz as a single woman, and same in USA and Thailand.

bofsy1 · 10/11/2018 20:20

FantastikRik

Suited you. But to be on a compound and protected from seeing the REAL Tunisia is a bit of a cop out.

Each to their own, but there is no way I will support a misonigystic country either.