Is it safe to travel to Tunisia? Foreign Office advice amid US strikes on Iran
Summer travel plans to Tunisia are being questioned by tourists amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has now seen the US join in following President Donald Trump's strikes in Iran.
Advice from the UK Foreign Office currently considers Tunisian tourist resorts safe to travel to – however, travel guidance has been updated to reflect escalating tensions in the Middle East.
After Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on 13 June, the two countries have continued to attack one another, while the US got involved over the weekend when Trump bombed Tehran's nuclear facilities.
Tunisia has long been a popular tourist destination due to its dependable hot weather and historic cities, but as missile attacks pose security risks for the wider region, travellers have raised concerns about their holiday plans.
Here's the latest travel advice for Tunisia, plus all the key questions and answers.
What does the Foreign Office say?
According to Foreign Office travel advice for Tunisia, as of 23 June: 'Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region.'
Tourists are told to monitor local and international media for the latest information, 'be vigilant' and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Generally, the FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Tunisia. This includes the Tunisia-Algeria border and the Chaambi Mountains National Park due to 'cross-border terrorist activity and operations by the Tunisian security forces'.
Also included in Tunisia's 'do not travel' area is within 20km of the Tunisia-Libya border, the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba, and the town of Ben Guerdane and the immediate surrounding area.
It says: 'This is due to cross-border terrorist activity and fighting in Libya.'
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to other areas in southern and western Tunisia and reminds tourists that there is a 'high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests'.
Travellers are also warned to avoid demonstrations in response to the current situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in some Tunisian cities, including outside some western embassies.
Are flights continuing to Tunisia?
Yes, flights are operating as scheduled to Tunisia's main tourist aviation hubs, including Tunis-Carthage and Enfidha-Hammamet airports.
What if I have booked a holiday to Tunisia?
As the Foreign Office has not warned against travel to most of Tunisia, there will be no special circumstances to cancel a trip for a full refund due to safety concerns. The main tourist spots – Hammamet and Tunis – are a fair distance from Tunisia's 'do not travel' areas anyway.
The conditions for cancelling your trip will depend on your holiday provider, so it's best to contact them if you wish to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the FCDO advice changes.
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