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.

I know the mum of the family killed on the beach. Awful.

But it’s not just one experience - I think Ive been to Tunisia 15 over the years and have never had an experience that has concerned me. I’ve met British tourists when I’ve been in the larger resorts who have not enjoyed themselves but they’ve tended to be the people who have only gone on trips organised by the travel rep, only eaten in the hotel, and felt it was ok to walk around outside the hotel wearing skimpy clothing, and who weren’t prepared for the difference in culture.

It’s horrible there. The men are Entitled mysogynists. They think western white people are there to supply them with money and they try to hassle it out of your wallet into theirs. Gross culture. Plenty of donkeys and dust.

It's cheap for a reason...
My experience at a 5 star hotel was def not a five star All inclusive and food was awful if you enjoy a cocktail or drink, the alcohol was disgusting . If you have teenagers or blonde hair, expect to be harassed even in your hotel. If you dare to venture out to the Souk's etc it is a nightmare. I do not think it is a safe country, I have travelled extensively and I would never go back to Tunisia!

The perfect example of "Why would I go on holiday to somewhere worse than where I live".

Possibly this might be the case sometimes but I don’t think it’s always true. There doesn’t seem to be a correlation between tourists adapting to cultural differences and being guaranteed respectful treatment - many here have stated that they had tried to dress modestly and were with their male partners and even children yet still had difficulty it’s. My sister certainly took this on board. For her and her partner it was also the open hostility they met with - often being spat at or having things said to them.

There really is no excuse for this, in ANY circumstances, whether women are dressed ‘modestly’ or not. It’s completely outrageous that women should feel so vulnerable and threatened under any circs, anywhere.

Growly - this isn’t meant to sound aggressive - it’s a genuine question: can you say why you had such positive experiences? What did you do and not do? I’d be interested to know, because not many pps have had such a pleasant time.

You seem to be in the minority

I went a long time ago and, where we were, was a total shit hole. No second chances.
Morocco is cheap too but much nicer.

Where is the other place? @MinnieCoops

I went 10ish years ago with my husband. It was a really interesting place and great food. I wouldn't go back on my own or with kids though. I gather its far worse than it used to be for harassment of women, and it was bad back then. Way more issues than India or other African countries I've visited.

As posted upthread, Tunisia surprised me and I left with very fond feelings for the country and people.

For anyone reading who does decide to visit, remember that you cannot leave the country with any local currency. We donated it all to our taxi driver but once inside the terminal I realised that we should have given it to the airport cleaning ladies. I understand people railing against supporting places that are oppressive to women but the best thing you could do would be to give personal support to the women who suffer the brunt of it. We tipped the ladies in our hotel who served us (surreptitiously - you never know what the "handing over tips" policy might be) and next time we'll tip the airport cleaners on our way out.

In Agadir, morocco last year one thing i noticed was women running on their own through town at night. Multiply women out separately enjoying their evening run. That was the first thing i noticed when we were in the taxi on the way to the hotel. I thought that a good sign.

I think it's a real Marmite place
Dh9 members. We really enjoyed it. Travelled a lot saw all the cultural sites but haven't felt need to return.
On mumsnet its pretty maligned people suffered a lot of hassle and harassment and it's our them off.
I think if you're looking for an all-inclusive where you barely leave the hotel other than for the beach you'll be fine
If you don't go to a market or arent blonde, you'll be fine. Use tour guides if you're concerned about safety.

They are cheaper because fewer people want to go there.
Fewer people want to go there due to the reputation the country has.
Not long ago people were shot on a beach.
There are other places to visit. So people go to the other places instead.

Wouldn’t go there (or Egypt) again. Too much hassle, wasn’t relaxing at all. Yes, hotel was nice to look at, but that was all. Didn’t enjoy leaving the hotel (modestly dressed).
I work with some absolutely amazing people from Tunisia (men and women, in professional roles, some very religious, others not), who are fond of their country… but don’t want to live there. Or visit. They say it is just getting worse every time they have to go (family).

Bottom line is, if you are happy to go to countries that treat their women abominably, where men are top of the apex, where corruption in public and private life is rife, where poverty is the norm unless you have connections, where hygiene is often questionable, and most of all, if you wish to support a corrupt Government, off you go.

Many are not willing to do this, and it's not just about Tunisia either.

I suspect it's okay as long as you're a savvy traveller who covers up. I got hassled in Morocco and Turkey until I started to wear a sarong as a headscarf any time I went out. It was like magic - suddenly I wasn't hassled any more. I appreciate that most western women on holiday probably don't want to do this, but if you want to visit a Muslim country I highly recommend covering up and wearing a headscarf. The change in attitude from men was like night and day - from leering to not even looking.

So I was to blame at the age of 12 for playing on the beach wearing a Speedo costume!

@Growlybear83

i guess we all like different things. When you say “of course there is harassment when you are walking around” it’s enough for me to not go there. The level of harassment with which that I am comfortable is zero.

Of course terrorist attacks happen everywhere, but the main issue with the one in Tunisia is that it was reported that the (armed!) security guards ran away and left the tourists on the beach to die...That's why the death toll was so high. So it's likely you won't be kept safe if the sh*t does hit the fan - they don't get paid enough to put their lives at risk.

I’ve experienced just as bad harassment in London with chuggers, beggars, and other persistent sales people. I actually find it more intrusive and annoying when I get call after call on my landline at home from people trying to scam me than I’ve ever found in Tunisia, Egypt, or Morocco.

Fair enough, I think you are makes the same point. I don’t have a landline any more and avoid anywhere where pressure sales people operate.

Went on honeymoon 20plus years ago and never encountered harassment or anything actually really enjoyed it and our 5 star hotels in both Por El Kantaoui and Hammamet were fantastic but again that was over 20 years ago so maybe things have changed.

You can't be serious??? Honestly....

Yes, I’m completely serious. I’ve lived in London all my life and have travelled to North Africa enough times to be able to make a reasonable comparison of my experiences.