TUNISIA
With its revolution behind it and buoyed by added airlift and operator capacity this winter Tunisia is back wooing visitors to a country that offers sun, sand, spas and much more, says Jane Archer
I
t’s obviously not been the easiest 20 months or so for Tunisia’s tourism chiefs, who have been ploughing money into advertising campaigns to lure back holidaymakers scared off by the Jasmin Revolution in January 2011. The country, sandwiched between Libya to the east and Algeria to the west, was the fi rst to experience the uprisings that spread like wildfi re across North Africa, but also the fi rst to enjoy a peaceful and satisfying result. With a new government in place, and a feeling of optimism in the country, the Tunisia National Tourist Offi ce is focusing on persuading visitors to return to what has been a growing Mediterranean holiday destination for the British over the past few years. The early signs are positive: UK arrivals from January to June this year reached
135,434, 55% up on the same time in 2011 and only 9% behind a record- breaking 2010. In June and July there were 37,576 and 43,071 UK arrivals respectively, up 50.3% on June and 50.7% on July 2011. TNTO UK director Wahida Jaiet said great value is helping to entice British visitors back. For example, First Choice had seven nights at a top family all-inclusive resort in the August peak for just £730pp, with fl ights and Jaiet believes new fl ights and hotels next year will see numbers continue to grow. Thomson and First Choice are launching charter fl ights to Enfi dha, located between Sousse and Hammamet, from three UK airports – Exeter, Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford – in 2013, and new Mövenpick and Park Inn hotels are opening.
Tunisia is a favourite with families because of its beaches, good-value resorts and all-inclusive hotels, but has more to offer than sun, sea and sand. The country has some of the world’s best spa and thalassotherapy hotels and numerous championship golf courses. There are history-themed tours that visit Roman sites, tours and hikes into the Sahara desert, and boutique properties in converted old town houses. Moreover, clients who travel now will fi nd a great-value, safe destination where key sights are not overrun by tourists. Tunisia also has the benefi t of being less than three hours by air from the
This page, L to R: The Residence, one of the most chic hotels in Tunisia; market spices; fi ne dining is on offer throughout the country; Opposite page: Desert camel ride
It’s a family affair … ”Tunisia is a great choice for families
as there is plenty of good quality all- inclusive hotels and the destination as a whole offers value for money” IAN GRANEY PRODUCT MANAGER THOMSON AND FIRST CHOICE
Practice on the greens… ”Tunisia provides holiday options and
u
ideas to suit every taste. We book golf and arrange tee times for golfers at 10 courses across Tunisia, and even offer desert tours”
PETER KIRK, MANAGING DIRECTOR, TUNISIA FIRST
26 September/October 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
thedeal seal
thedeal History beckons…
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”The Tunisia Explorer trip visits the Roman site of Makthar in Sbeitla and tours the ruins
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