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.

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.

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.

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'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

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

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

Many Brits fly their purely for healthcare...

Do you travel to London or Manchester?

& 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.

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...

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

Gosh! Just saw the last post. Very odd. I’m not Muslim and in my time at work there was never never treated as lowlier for not being Muslim! I speak French so talked frequently and deeply with many many people from all walks of life and was struck by the calmness and friendly warmth of the country. They’re not interested in tourism, just want a calm and happy life. They’re proud of never having a war with anyone.

In my late twenties I had a great trip backpacking there. Much less hassle from men than in Morocco or Egypt, even in rural areas with little European tourism. That was around the times of the terrorist attacks and there was some ISIS graffiti around. As others have mentioned, it very much depends on the kind of holiday you're used to, what you wear and where you stay/how you travel.

The only time I felt uncomfortable was on a very long shared taxi ride with several armed checkpoints where the driver held onto our passports to present them. He didn't speak any English to explain what was going on. That was a long way of the tourist routes at a time of high tensions, though

None of these poor countries with hassling men appeal to me. Give me the lakes and mountains of civilised Switzerland any day.

I'd agree, I was disappointed with Carthage but there were many other incredible archaeological sites in Tunisia so overall it was amazing.

I went on a Voyage Jules Verne tour (with my mother) two years before the attack and on a couple of days we didn't go on the additional excursions but went to a local museum/site instead. Felt a little harrassed by people wanting to sell things, but was never groped or sexually harrassed.

That's no reason to SPIT on her!!!!

The IRA is a minimal threat these days.

Maybe people have more trust in the British authorities to counter terror attacks than the Tunisian government and their agencies, I know I do!

Not a fair comparison at all.

I agree. If I had to go for work…OK.

But a holiday is meant to be enjoyable, for heaven’s sake!

My husband has worked in Egypt a lot and from his accounts of what his female colleagues experienced, I’ll give North African countries a swerve, thanks.

Cos it's a fucking horrible place to go to

There is a heightened risk of attacks there which is ongoing and I think there have been a lot of global events which have exacerbated the risk. It's a shame as there is lots to see and do. I've been twice but that was 20 yrs ago and loved it. Dh says that men did stare at me but I don't recall being harassed and we did trips to the south with a local company. The second time I was pregnant and everyone just kept congratulating me and saying they hoped I had a boy. I have to say I wouldn't go back againnin the current political climate.

People kept saying they hoped you had a boy!!! Well, doesn't that just say it all. 😡 I'm not giving my business to these countries who despise us just because we have the "wrong" chromosomes. Fuck that. I'd a million times rather have a staycation.

It's really odd how PP are reporting such opposite experiences of the place!