The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a serious update on the security situation in Tunisia, a once popular North African tourist destination. Accordingly, the FCDO officially advises British citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to certain areas of the country, particularly the western and southern provinces, due to increasing concerns about the risk of terrorism and cross-border violence.
The latest update from the FCDO states that potential "hotspots" include the Chaambi Mountains and areas of military activity such as Salloum, Sammamma, Mghila, along with El Feidja National Park. In addition, an area 20km from the Tunisia-Algeria border in the provinces of El Kef and Jendouba is also on the red alert list. In the south, towns such as Ben Guerdane and the surrounding areas of El Borma and Dhehiba have also been identified as areas of high risk from extremist groups, with several worrying incidents of unrest occurring recently.
Updated guidance from the Foreign Office warns against all but essential travel to certain areas of Tunisia, particularly within 20km of the Tunisia-Algeria border
"We currently advise against all non-essential travel to areas near the Tunisia-Algeria border, particularly south of Jendouba," an FCDO spokesperson said. Notably, the warning for the Chemtou archaeological site has been removed in this update, suggesting the adjustment is based on a specific assessment of the situation.
The FCDO warning follows a series of alarming terrorist attacks in Tunisia in 2023, including the stabbing of a National Guard officer in the capital Tunis and a horrific shooting at a Jewish pilgrimage site on the island of Djerba that left five people dead. These incidents have exposed security gaps and raised serious concerns about the safety of international tourists.
Tunisia has long been a popular destination for British tourists, known for its golden beaches, turquoise Mediterranean coastline, bustling old towns and affordable luxury.
The FCDO reiterates its warning of a high global terrorist threat against UK citizens and interests. "The public should remain vigilant and monitor local information closely," the FCDO advises, stressing the need to stay informed and maintain a high level of vigilance.
Tunisia was once a popular holiday destination for Brits, known for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches, rich culture and affordable prices. However, the country's tourism industry has yet to fully recover from a series of shocking terrorist attacks in 2015 that claimed the lives of dozens of foreign tourists.
The UK Foreign Office urges citizens to check official travel information on the FCDO website before departure.
The FCDO also reassures that popular and safer travel destinations such as Hammamet, Sousse and the capital Tunis are not currently in the warning zone. However, travellers are advised to remain vigilant, keep up to date with local news and strictly follow all instructions from local authorities. The Foreign Office also urges UK citizens to check official travel information on the FCDO website before embarking on any trip.
Information from the FCDO and travel experts shows that, in the context of increased risks in some countries, carefully researching destinations and flexibly choosing itineraries is becoming a new trend for many British tourists.
With warnings of increased risk in some countries, the trend of budget and flexible travel is gaining traction. One example is the story of Rob Adcock, a BBC TV presenter and travel blogger, who took an incredible trip to Morocco for just £186. The trip included cheap Ryanair flights to the coastal city of Agadir. Rob told MailOnline that he regularly hunts for cheap flights on Skyscanner and found a "super bargain" holiday package for just £270 for two people, including three spa treatments and breakfast at a luxury hotel.
Information from the FCDO and travel experts shows that British tourists are increasingly conscious of researching their destinations thoroughly and being flexible in their travel choices, especially when faced with potential geopolitical and security risks.
