ABTA issues statement on updated FCO travel advice for Tunisia

ABTA has issued a statement regarding the change to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice for Tunisia.

The FCO stated that there was a “heightened risk of terrorism against aviation” and while there are still flights departing from the UK to Tunisia, the body had previously advised against travelling to certain areas.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

• the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila
• the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba
• within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba
• the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area

The FCO advise against all but essential travel to:

• areas south of, and including, the towns of Nefta, Douz, Médenine, Zarzis
• within 30km of the border with Algeria south of, and including, the town of Jendouba (this area includes the archaeological sites of Bulla Regia and Chemtou)
• the governorate of Kasserine, including the town of Sbeitla

ABTA said: “The FCO has changed its level of advice to Tunisia and no longer advises against all but essential travel to certain parts of Tunisia. Restrictions remain in place for the south and interior and certain areas near the borders with Algeria and Libya.

“This change in level of travel advice means that travel to Tunisia can now resume and travel companies can put in place plans for holidays to Tunisia to restart, should they wish to do so.”

It continued: “ABTA and its members rely on the informed expertise of the FCO in relation to travel advice regarding specific destinations and will always advise the travelling public to follow this advice. Holidaymakers should always check this advice before booking or travelling to a destination.”