This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36365957
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Tunisia tourism: Ambassador urges FCO to relax travel warning | Tunisia tourism: Ambassador urges FCO to relax travel warning |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Tunisian officials have urged the UK government to relax its advice warning against all but essential travel to the country, after a 90% drop in British visitors in the first part of 2016. | Tunisian officials have urged the UK government to relax its advice warning against all but essential travel to the country, after a 90% drop in British visitors in the first part of 2016. |
The guidance has been in place since 31 British holidaymakers were killed in two terror attacks in Tunisia in 2015. | The guidance has been in place since 31 British holidaymakers were killed in two terror attacks in Tunisia in 2015. |
The Tunisian ambassador to the UK said the government should take into account security improvements since last year. | The Tunisian ambassador to the UK said the government should take into account security improvements since last year. |
The Foreign Office said the safety of British nationals was its main concern. | The Foreign Office said the safety of British nationals was its main concern. |
Thirty Britons were among 39 killed when a gunman opened fire on tourists in a beach resort near Sousse on Tunisia's Mediterranean coast last June. | Thirty Britons were among 39 killed when a gunman opened fire on tourists in a beach resort near Sousse on Tunisia's Mediterranean coast last June. |
UK tour operators stopped all package holidays to Tunisia in July following a change in travel advice from the Foreign Office, which still says further terrorist attacks are "highly likely". | |
However, ambassador Nabil Ammar, who himself comes from Sousse, told the BBC there was now a gap between the "perception of the level of security, and the real security on the ground". | However, ambassador Nabil Ammar, who himself comes from Sousse, told the BBC there was now a gap between the "perception of the level of security, and the real security on the ground". |
Three generations of Tunisian tourism | Three generations of Tunisian tourism |
Industry is dead, says tour guide | Industry is dead, says tour guide |
Special report: Tunisia attack | Special report: Tunisia attack |
'Terrorists neutralised' | 'Terrorists neutralised' |
"Every week terrorist cells are dismantled. Terrorists are arrested or neutralised. This should give a positive image, not a negative one. | "Every week terrorist cells are dismantled. Terrorists are arrested or neutralised. This should give a positive image, not a negative one. |
"If you take statistics, you have much less chance to die in Tunisia or to have any harm in Tunisia than so many countries close to us." | "If you take statistics, you have much less chance to die in Tunisia or to have any harm in Tunisia than so many countries close to us." |
Mr Ammar said he respected the UK Foreign Office, but it should not allow "the impression that this is not a safe country, and take into account all the progress made" in security. | Mr Ammar said he respected the UK Foreign Office, but it should not allow "the impression that this is not a safe country, and take into account all the progress made" in security. |
He said he had never seen Tunisia's beaches so empty of tourists, and it was severely hurting the country's economy. | He said he had never seen Tunisia's beaches so empty of tourists, and it was severely hurting the country's economy. |
"Part of the solution against violence and terrorism is to have a good economy", he said, adding that he wanted the tragedy suffered by both the UK and Tunisia as a result of the terror attacks to "make us two people closer, not separate us at all". | "Part of the solution against violence and terrorism is to have a good economy", he said, adding that he wanted the tragedy suffered by both the UK and Tunisia as a result of the terror attacks to "make us two people closer, not separate us at all". |
Figures from the Tunisian Tourist Board show a fall of more than 90% in UK visitors for the first four months of this year compared with the similar period a year ago. | Figures from the Tunisian Tourist Board show a fall of more than 90% in UK visitors for the first four months of this year compared with the similar period a year ago. |
Between January and April 2015, Tunisia saw 84,225 visitors from the UK, but just 5,980 in the first four months of this year. | Between January and April 2015, Tunisia saw 84,225 visitors from the UK, but just 5,980 in the first four months of this year. |
While the current warning is in place, most travel insurance policies will be invalid for those who plan to travel to the country. | |
'Half-empty beaches' | |
BBC Radio 5 Live reporter Emily Unia, reporting from Sousse, said: "While I have been here I have felt safe - there is a fairly visible police presence in Sousse, people say that security has increased a lot. | |
"Most large buildings like hotels and shops now have security arches and bag checks so they are taking their responsibilities very, very seriously. | |
"But the truth is that the hotels and the beaches are half empty." | |
The Foreign Office says there are no direct flights between the UK and Monastir airport, to the south of Sousse, and Enfidah airport, to the north. | |
But there are daily Tunis Air flights from Tunis Carthage airport direct to London and indirect daily departures with European carriers. | |
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We know our travel advice can have a knock-on effect on trade and political considerations, but we don't let this influence the advice we give. The safety of British nationals is our main concern. | A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We know our travel advice can have a knock-on effect on trade and political considerations, but we don't let this influence the advice we give. The safety of British nationals is our main concern. |
"We are working closely with the Tunisians to understand the terrorist threat better and to help them to strengthen measures to protect tourists further. | "We are working closely with the Tunisians to understand the terrorist threat better and to help them to strengthen measures to protect tourists further. |
"Our travel advice is under constant review and we will change it as soon as the security situation permits." | "Our travel advice is under constant review and we will change it as soon as the security situation permits." |
Have you travelled to Tunisia recently? Would you consider going on holiday in Tunisia if the travel advice was changed? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Have you travelled to Tunisia recently? Would you consider going on holiday in Tunisia if the travel advice was changed? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |