Djerba- Houmt Souk
Since the events of January when the popular uprising began, Britons have been returning to Tunisia as they must now judge it safe to do so. In January there were 5,000 of us there. In April this year the number had swelled to 17,467 but this is still down by just under 6,000 compared to the same time last year.
The campaign is split into two with the first part trying to, in the words of the advertising agency, “shock and challenge preconceptions of the country and its people.” I’m not sure that’s a terribly great idea. Surely you want to emphasise that things are back to normal and play upon Tunisia’s undoubted benefits. But as Anissa Ramoundi, the head of tourism for Tunisia in Europe says, this sort of campaign wouldn’t have happened under the old regime. The newly-found freedom of speech is behind the content of the promotional campaign.
Nonetheless it is the sea, the climate, the beaches, the history and the markets that appeal to holidaymakers. That forms the second part of the campaign.
So what is Tunisia like after the revolution? Is it safe for tourists to return? Anthony has just been to Djerba, the island off the Tunisian coast to see for himself. His story will appear this Wednesday but, without wishing to steal his thunder, Tunisia is definitely open for business. It is welcoming and he had no thoughts or concerns about going there.
Image courtesy of the Tunisian National Tourist Board. Click here for their website
