UK operators set to return to Tunisia
UK tour operators are set to resume flights to Tunisia at the end of this month following a change in the Foreign Office advice.
According to the Tunisian National Tourist Office, major tour operators including Thomas Cook, Thomson and First Choice plan to resume normal flight schedules to Monastir soon after February 27.
The operators had brought home all customers and cancelled holidays to the destination when protests broke out in mid-January.
Thomas Cook said it will continue to review the situation for travel to Tunisia after February. Its next planned departure is March 2.
CEO Manny Fontenla-Novoa said: “Tunisia is getting back to normal and following the change in advice from the FCO, we’re hoping to get our full progamme up and running by the beginning of March. Once the current curfew is lifted, this will be the trigger for foreign offices across Europe to change their advice.”
Thomson and First Choice said they are reviewing their programme and hope to commence flights back to Tunisia as soon as operationally possible.
“We will be agreeing a date within the next few days on when we will resume our operations to this destination,” said a spokesman.
Tunisair has been operating its normal schedule since January 17 to Tunis.
“During the last month Tunisia has experienced a period of political unrest and great change, however the situation has now calmed down, and we are pleased to see that the FCO has changed their advice accordingly,†said Anissa Ramoundi, the UK and Ireland director for The Tunisian National Tourist Office.
“With free elections in sight and a more open and liberal government in the making Tunisians are now optimistic about the future.
“The UK market is incredibly important for Tunisia and I hope that British visitors will support us, as we get back on our feet, by returning to our resorts to enjoy their holidays.
“The tourist areas of Yasmine Hammamet and Port El Kantaoui were never at the heart of the protests, and Tunisians in these areas are looking forward to getting back to work and making sure our visitors have wonderful holidays.â€
Last year saw an unprecedented rise in UK visitors to Tunisia with 353,282 arrivals, up 28% on 2009 and exceeding its previous record of 350,000 in 2006.
By Bev Fearis
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.
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