My wife and I have booked a holiday in Hammamet, Tunisia, in June. Do you think it is safe to go? Winston Jones
Risk management is, by its nature, full of uncertainty. But I would happily travel to Tunisia tomorrow — especially to Hammamet, which offers an alluring combination of a seaside location and a medieval heart, plus great places to eat and drink.
After the atrocities committed in Tunis last Wednesday, I can sympathise with any prospective traveller who is now concerned about holidaying in Tunisia. But my advice is to continue with your trip.
The UK government gives its opinion on the wisdom of venturing to every country in the world, in the shape of Foreign Office travel advice. I find it a usually reliable guide. When the Arab Spring began in Tunisia four years ago, for a time the Foreign Office advised against travel - and holidaymakers were airlifted out. With hindsight, that was unnecessary, because British tourists were unharmed during the uprising that deposed President Ben Ali.
The latest Foreign Office advice, issued 24 hours after the massacre at the Bardo Museum in Tunis, rules out only travel towards the borders with Libya and Algeria. None of the tourist resorts are in the off-limits areas.
It’s possible your tour operator may decide to cancel its programme to Tunisia this summer, as MSC Cruises has done. But otherwise normal cancellation conditions apply, which means you would lose upwards of half the price of the trip at this stage.
My advice is to go.
Email your queries to s@hols.tv
