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

[DallazMajor]

To wonder why holidays to Tunisia are substantially cheaper than other places.

I was thinking of booking but when I’ve mentioned it to people they have said they wouldn’t go.

Am I missing something ?

Is it cheaper because it’s considered unsafe or something.

We thought the same and went last year. Supposed to be 5 star hotel. 3 star at a push. The rooms were really bad. The whole experience was like going back 30 years. For what it’s worth the beach and pools were lovely but our one trip out was pretty grim. Hassled by groups of men in pick up trucks and ripped off by cafe owners.
Im easily pleased but I wouldn’t go back.

I think people weren't keen on Tunisia to begin with, then as it was building its tourism the attack happened. I don't think it ever recovered since then.

I visited around 15 years ago with my partner. The hotel was the best hotel I have ever stayed in (and advertised as 3 star). It was literally a palace, marble floors, amazing rooms and facilities, on the beach. We went out to the local markets by ourselves and went on organised day trips as we had no idea about the area/country and didnt feel confident in finding our own way. Never felt unsafe, but I did notice that the cafes were only full of men, so may have felt differently if we were not all-inclusive, but i was not harassed either.

A terror attack on tourists has stuck with a lot of people. I for one just could never do it without fear. It’s a no from me even though it may not be logical.

It’s on my bucket list as I would love to see the Roman and Phoenician ruins, and the Sahara. I plan to go next year. At my great age I don’t expect to be bothered by men - one advantage of being older.

The attacks on the beach were 11 years ago but it’s still not as safe as most European destinations.

The culture of hassling lone women, asking where your husband is, immediately checking hands for wedding rings, not taking no for an answer.

Hygiene standards in hotels can be hit & miss too. We got a horrendous gastro bug & only ate in the hotel.

If you choose a hotel with good hygiene standards (which is more luck than judgement) and just want a week of pure relaxation by the hotel pool then it’s probably excellent value. Not so much if you want to go out & about every day, feel safe & enjoy yourself.

You should read Take A Break magazine before you go! Young African men preying on older western women for a visa are pretty common place.

My mum died 14 years ago but somewhere in the UK, there is a Gambian man, the same age as me who is technically my stepfather 😩.

Im interested in all the people who won’t go to Tunisia based on the beach terrorist attack. Do people feel the same about going to Harrods because of the IRA bombing that was carried out there? Do people not feel safe travelling on a London bus because of the terrorist attack? Or the London Underground? Many many more people have been killed by terrorists in London , let alone the rest of the UK, than in the two incidents that have been mentioned in Tunisia.

We were there in June for a short break but all inclusive, we slept read and enjoyed the sun. I wouldn’t go back, 7 days was more than enough. We went to see the colosseum and it was people selling tat on the walk up to it, I didn’t like it. The streets are filthy and the medina was an experience never to be repeated because of the leering men. It wasn’t a holiday I’d do again. I’d rather put up with the rain in Scotland tbh. We went to an adults only that had fabulous reviews on trip advisor and on the FB groups we joined, put it this way it wasn’t to our standards. The airport is another story. It would be firm no from me.

It’s not a country I felt remotely safe in and we’ve travelled expensively. Have you been to Tunisia?

I went years ago as cabin crew. It was awful and I would never go back. Felt so unsafe and we were advised at the time not to leave the resort. There are so many nicer places to go.

2015!

I’ve been a few times and really like it - lots of stuff to do outside the hotels too - ancient ruins, desert trips. A bit of hassle from shopkeepers trying to sell you stuff but no worse than other countries.

Naively went when I was early 20s and never would again. The men are absolute pigs and I got laughed at by a shop keeper and had my tampons that I was purchasing thrown at me.

Am currently in Tunisia. If you want to have a relaxing holiday with clear waters, sandy beaches, delicious food and attentive staff - this is the place. We visited a souk yesterday and my blonde daughter drew some attention, but only with looks, no comments or harassment (I noticed because I was watching her like a hawk) - It felt safe. We are having a great time. Temps are high (45) but it genuinely feels cooler than 32 in the UK. And the hotel has great air con.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

@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.

This!

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

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.