Resumption of packages to Tunisia reignites public interest
Publicity over the return of package holidays to Tunisia reignited interest among British holidaymakers for the destination, according to TravelSupermarket.
The holiday comparison website has seen a 55% increase in searches for Tunisia in the past week, following news coverage that Thomas Cook has resumed flights to the destination.
Today (Tuesday) Thomas Cook operated fully booked flights from Manchester and Birmingham, with another flight due to leave Gatwick tomorrow (Wednesday).
TUI is due to return to the country in May.
The 55% increase relates to recorded searches on Monday February 12, compared to the previous Monday, February 5.
TravelSupermarket spokeswoman Emma Grimster said: "Although it will take some time for Tunisia to get back to welcoming anywhere near its tourism numbers in 2015, it has long been a popular choice for British holidaymakers, and the increase in searches we have seen shows a clear appetite for a return to the country."
Tunisian National Tourism Office travel trade executive Sami Tounsi posted on TravelGossip to describe his happiness at Thomas Cook’s return to the destination and promised ‘Tunisia will not let you down’.
He said: "Today is one of the best days of my life…watching a Thomas Cook plane taxiing on Enfidha airport tarmac.
"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those agents who I’ve met and built strong bonds with for your support from Glasgow to Brighton and Exeter to Edinburgh.
"Thank you all for sharing my difficult times. I hope Tunisia will not let you down this time and win back your trust and become a reliable and fun destination."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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