DO NOT LIVE
Tunisia has confirmed the introduction of a new departure tax of around £11 per person from October 1.
The 30 dinars tax will be payable by all departing passengers, who will need to buy a revenue stamp at tax offices in any Tunisian city or pay at customs at the airport.
Tunisia had been threatening to bring in some kind of tourist tax for a few years.
Although the tourist office has confirmed it will start next month, there is not yet any information about it on its website.
Specalist tour operators to Tunisia say although the tax is not that high, especially compared with other countries, it could cause logistical problems for visitors.
Visitors to the country are not allowed to leave with any of the local currency, but will now have to make sure they keep enough back to make the payment.
Hugh Fraser, managing director of Corinthia Travel, said the tax was being introduced at a time when bookings were the worst they’ve been since the start of the Arab Spring.
"It’s a bit annoying we have such short notice and then it’s a half announcement as well, but I don’t think it will have any impact on bookings," he said. "It’s just a logistical headache but there’s nothing we can do about it."
Monarch Airlines said it was aware of the Tunisian Tax and has already uploaded a travel alert warning for customers on its website.
"We are in the process of adding these details into our pre-departure emails so all customers travelling to Tunisia are aware of the payment upon arrival in the country," said a spokesman.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps