NORTH AFRICA


African triumverate of Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia perfectly fi ts the bill. All are within three or four hours’


W


fl ying time from the UK, and there are plenty of fl ights, including on low-cost carriers, which keep fares down. All three also benefi t from their wide


appeal. It’s a cliché but there really is something for everyone. Families can enjoy all-inclusive beach holidays, history and culture lovers can have their fi ll of both with Egypt’s ancient temples and pyramids, and Tunisia’s Roman remains, while those who like to keep active can go hiking in


hen it comes to value for money and easy accessibility, the North


the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco or diving in the Red Sea.


There are river cruises on the Nile, sumptuous spa hotels offering the ultimate in pampering and coach touring for clients who feel more comfortable with a bit of hand holding. At last October's ABTA Travel


Convention in Malta, Tunisia was unveiled as the 10th most popular destination for UK tourists, and the fi gures back this up. In the fi rst nine months of 2010,


201,076 Britons visited the country, an increase of 29% on the same period in 2009. Tunisair, the country’s national airline, saw passenger numbers increase by 20% in 2010 and in May introduced


Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are among this year’s hottest destinations for Britons looking for good value outside the increasingly expensive Eurozone, says Jane Archer


new fl ights from London-Gatwick to the island of Djerba, located off the Tunisian coast.


And this year the airline will further increase airlift from the UK by adding routes from Manchester to Enfi dha airport near Hammamat and Sousse Egypt’s British visitor numbers were


up more than 11% between January and August 2010, to 968,186, while Morocco’s UK arrivals grew 24% to 275,000 between January and the end of July. That was an impressive series of results given all that was thrown at the UK holiday industry last year. Unexpected negative events in 2011 notwithstanding, a combination of


tourist board advertising, new fl ights, expansion by major operators, as well as continuing economic uncertainty and a still-strong euro, means there is every reason to believe demand for these destinations will carry on growing. The Egyptian, Moroccan and Tunisian


tourist boards all offer on-line training to help agents boost sales – and earnings – to these countries, and there is also a plethora of events such as marathons, fi lm festivals, music festivals and endurance races the trade can tap into to excite special-interest markets. A host of mass-market and specialist


Above from left: A Hamman spa experience in Morocco; intricate door carving in Marrakech; Quad bike riding in the Tunisia


>


thedeal Quick journey: A


seal


short flying time makes all three countries perfect for a burst of winter sun


TNTO


TNTO


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