Tunisia's interior minister, Hédi Majdoub, has called on British tourists to return to the country, arguing that it is no more threatened by terrorism than major European cities. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to Tunisia following the 2015 Sousse beach attack, which killed 30 British tourists.
Majdoub, in London to meet UK officials, said he hopes the travel advice will be reviewed. He stressed that threats exist everywhere, including in Paris, Brussels, and Istanbul, and that Tunisia is ready to cooperate on security to rebuild confidence. The travel warning has had devastating economic effects, with a 90% drop in British tourists since the attack.
Unemployment in Tunisia exceeds 14%, and the tourism sector, which accounts for 8% of the economy, has been severely hit. Thomas Cook has suspended package holidays to Tunisia until at least May next year. Majdoub emphasized the need for deeper security cooperation, including intelligence sharing and training, particularly regarding returning fighters from Syria and Libya.
The government has restructured its intelligence department and implemented a comprehensive tourist security plan. Majdoub noted that this year's tourist season passed without incident, but acknowledged that ongoing efforts are needed. The UK has considered a phased relaxation of travel advice, while other countries have not issued blanket warnings.
