The resort island of Djerba is located just 120 km from the city of Ben Garden, which, in turn, borders Libya. As recently as March of this year, terrorists attacked barracks there, after which the authorities extended the state of emergency throughout the country. The trip was supposed to demonstrate that the situation in Tunisia is calm and nothing threatens the tourists’ vacation.
To the airport Zarzis we were brought by airline "Icarus". In addition to the Russian airliner, there was only a Tunisian carrier plane on the territory - not a single one else.
Passport control, metal detector, baggage claim - ordinary procedures took no more than 30 minutes (as if compensation for how long the flight was delayed at Moscow Sheremetyevo). And now we are already on the bus - going to our hotel.
Journalists were checked into a hotel Sensimar Palm Beach. It is worth noting that there are practically no Russians in this hotel. Mostly Germans and French vacationers. This can probably explain that the staff practically does not speak Russian. First, the bus was greeted by Rocky the Rottweiler.
His responsibilities include inspecting incoming cars and buses with tourists. The rest of the time, Rocky melts into the shadows. The dog is not alone here, there are two more booths around the perimeter of the hotel, the animals do not react to guests, only on command. As we were told at the press conference, the presence of specially trained dogs is one of the security requirements that the Tunisian authorities set for hoteliers.
Upon entry, our suitcases are carried through metal detectors. We ourselves walk through the front entrance. There are no inspections or additional procedures - only CCTV cameras indicate that the state of emergency has been extended in the country. “Before the terrorist attacks of 2015, there weren’t even these in hotels,” admits the head of the Tunisian national tourism office in Russia and the CIS Mezhid Kahlaoui. “The terrorist attack took everyone by surprise and hit the tourism industry hard.” Let me remind you that after the shooting of civilians in Sousse, the flow of tourists from Russia alone decreased by more than 5 times.
So: metal detectors, CCTV cameras, dogs. Refurbishment of a hotel according to this list costs the hotel owner 30–50 thousand dollars. Hotels that do not pass licensing according to the new requirements are subject to sanctions.
On the beach, by the way, you get the feeling that you are always under supervision - people in white shirts are sitting around the perimeter - private hotel security officers. They are prohibited from carrying weapons, unlike the Tunisian National Guard. The feeling that you are being watched does not leave you even at 5 am - during a morning run I was able to test this for myself. “There are many more people with weapons in resort areas than you see,” say the organizers of the press tour. “Most of them wear civilian clothes and carefully hide their weapons so as not to scare off tourists.”
But no one hides during excursions. During the boat trip, a machine gunner was with us, and the ship was accompanied by a coast guard boat.
There are problems with walking into the city on your own. At the entrance to the hotel I try to break away from the group to see the real Djerba, without accompanying people. The organizers are reluctant to let you in, citing the fact that it is hot and it is a long walk to the hotel. In reality it turns out to be only 1.5 km or 10 minutes. Life outside the hotel seems to have stopped, perhaps because it’s Ramadan. Rarely encountered passers-by perceive a lone white man as nonsense.
Despite this, Russian tourists are welcome in Tunisia. In Djerba alone, their number, according to the same Federal Tourism Agency, in the first five months of the year was 80% higher than in 2014. Those Russians with whom I was able to communicate turn a blind eye to the Federal Agency’s warning. “We had doubts, but the travel agency explained everything to us, and now we have seen with our own eyes that everything is in order,” says a tourist from Yekaterinburg. In her opinion, there is no visa-free alternative to Tunisia until Turkey and Egypt are opened.
Journalists were invited to ensure that Tunisia is safe. Did I feel it myself? I will say this as a person who is far from safety standards, but as a tourist who is used to walking alone. On the territory of the hotel and accompanied by a guide on excursions, you feel protected. And the presence of the military gives you a special status. But, as in any Muslim country, there are rules of conduct here. For example, if you want to get out into the city on your own, it is better to do it by taxi. Moreover, a trip to any point on the island will cost no more than $5.
Whether the state of emergency, proximity to troubled Libya and regular warnings from tourism departments will affect the popularity of the destination - the answer to this question is ambiguous. Many Russian tourists are now interested, first of all, in price. While Tunisia is not closed, and if it is affordable for those who previously vacationed in Turkey and Egypt, there will probably be demand.
At the moment, Tunisia is one of the popular modern tourist destinations, where you can spend time in the summer relatively cheaply; in addition, Russian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Tunisia. Tourists are also attracted to this country by the fact that in this Arab state, until recently, they were threatened only by waiters who add extra money to the bill, dishonest taxi drivers or pickpockets. However, after the terrorist attack in Tunisia, many tourists began to wonder whether it was safe to travel to Tunisia this year?
What is the situation in Tunisia today?
It’s difficult to say for sure, since terrorist attacks are being carried out all over the world today, and there is no calm in conservative Europe. He will try to find out what the situation is in Tunisia, when is the best time to go on vacation here and whether it is worth it at all.
Let's start with recent events. IN In 2011, Tunisia's rating in the tourism market sharply worsened the revolution that took place here, then two years later on the holiday of Ramadan everything happened again. But several years passed, and it was no longer scary to go on vacation to this country again, since passions had slowly subsided. However, there is still no stability in the Tunisian state.
In the city Sousse On Friday, June 26, terrorists again started shooting on the beach, because of which 40 tourists were injured, most of whom were citizens of Germany and Great Britain. And since it became dangerous to travel to Tunisia, tour operators began to offer to exchange a vacation in this country for any other. However, Russian citizens do not have such a wide choice, among visa-free and cheaper tours. Well, Turkey, Egypt, although they cannot offer as many thalassotherapy centers as there are in Tunisia. So why go there then?
That's why many Russians decided not to deviate from their plans and go there anyway. And, in general, in the city of Sousse, after such tragic events, the country’s authorities decided to take some measures and support the tourism segment. In this regard, the head of the national Tunisian tourism office in the Russian capital, canceled the 15 euro fee, which travelers paid when leaving Tunisia at the airport. It has also become more profitable to travel because The Tunisian government began to compensate Russian operators for 40% of seats on all charter flights.
In addition, the country has now strengthened security measures by arming the police, which ensures the safety of vacationers in hotels and at sea. Special patrols ensure order in the resorts. We can only hope that the measures taken will help travelers feel safe and comfortable.
To go or not to go to Tunisia - that is the question?
All these unrest and rallies did not at all affect the coastal zone, the Sahara desert, small towns and islands, for example, Djerba, where at that time vacationers were not at all aware of the ongoing terrorist attacks. At the moment, it is relatively calm there; everywhere you can see smiling, friendly Arabs offering their best goods to vacationers.
Listen to advice, do not give in to hysteria and panic, keep a clear mind. Just before your trip, monitor the situation in the country you are interested in, read useful reviews and information, see whether it is an isolated incident of a terrorist attack or whether it is a sequence of many events and the beginning of a civil war. Although on the other hand, if you are going to travel with children, then it is better to postpone such a trip until everything finally settles down. After all, families can suffer the most during open conflicts and clashes on the street. In this case, it is much easier for young people, because they react faster to current situations.
So stock up on money and don’t deny yourself the pleasure of visiting any city in Tunisia.
Political tension in Tunisia is an almost constant characteristic of this country, so sometimes rumors appear in the press about the closure of Tunisian shores to tourists. The main problem is the proximity of the territories where ISIS (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) operates and the potential danger of an attack from the sea.
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Political tension in Tunisia is an almost constant characteristic of this country, so sometimes rumors appear in the press about the closure of Tunisian shores to tourists. The main problem is the proximity of the territories where ISIS (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) operates and the potential danger of an attack from the sea.
However, Russians love this destination because it is an excellent alternative to the now closed Egyptian resorts, plus no visa is required to enter here. Therefore, the Tunisian authorities are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of tourists. Thus, the beach line is guarded by numerous police officers, after sunset, vacationers are prohibited from swimming in the sea, and hotels have a strict access system (there are frames with metal detectors at the entrance, the details of each guest are checked). Read about possible risks and precautions in this article.
The city of Ras Jedir is banned
Even if there is no information in the media about ongoing battles on the border with Libya, you should stay away from these places, because another outbreak of armed conflict can begin at any moment, and no one can guarantee the safety of tourists. For example, you should not take excursions to the city of Ras Jedir, since it is too close to potential hot spots. It is best to choose protected tourist areas for recreation, where police are constantly patrolling. Unless absolutely necessary, it is better not to leave the hotel premises and not make independent excursion trips.
Beach area safety
On the coast, entry is open to everyone. So this is a potential risk area - vacationers can move from one beach to another, even if it is the formal territory of another hotel. That's why there are always a lot of police on the beaches. They ride on sleek Arabian horses, looking down on possible intruders. In addition, as we have already said, for safety reasons it is prohibited to swim in the sea and visit the beach area after sunset.
How to avoid problems in Tunisia?
This is a Muslim country, so to avoid conflict situations and various troubles, follow these simple recommendations:
- Do not look at veiled women, do not talk to them or try to get to know them.
- Dress modestly and conservatively. Girls are advised to wear long clothes that cover their shoulders, legs and chest. It is also worth having a scarf with you, which you can throw over your head if necessary.
- If you find yourself in Tunisia during Ramadan, avoid eating outside during the daytime. Also refrain from smoking and drinking in public places. The hotel is not prohibited from doing all this.
- If you meet a praying person along the way, do not speak to him, but walk around silently.
Do not forget about the peculiarities of the climate of this country - it is hot here during the day, so do not neglect sunscreen. And it's cool at night, so take a windbreaker or light jacket from home. One of the possible risk factors is poisonous jellyfish that swim unnoticed towards vacationers. August is considered the most dangerous month in this regard—it is then that the likelihood of stumbling upon a jellyfish is especially high.
Where to go in case of emergency?
If you have any difficulties with documents, conflict situations with local residents or other problems, please contact:
- To the Russian Embassy: Phone: (+216) 71-884-397, (+216)71-882-446; e-mail: [email protected]
- Local police: 197
- Fire service: 198
- Ambulance: 190, at night: 717-171
When traveling to Tunisia, do not forget that this is an Islamic state where 95% of the population is Muslim. You should be careful with public displays of affection, such as kissing and hugging. It is also not customary to look closely at women in veils, much less show them any signs of attention - there is a possibility that you will have to deal with their relatives. You should also not appear in public even if slightly inebriated.
During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins differently every year, but around July-August, all religious issues arise even more acutely, so you should behave more modestly.
Woman in veil
Harassment on the streets
Here, unlike and, there are very few obsessive suitors who whistle after women. Basically, those who try to meet people on the streets just want to hang out at someone else's expense.
It is better to travel around Tunisia accompanied by a man, or at least not alone. You should not respond to remarks or glances, or take advances too seriously. As a rule, local men don’t go beyond shouting. As in any other country, women should not walk the streets at night completely alone. If courtship begins to cross personal boundaries, then you can express dissatisfaction out loud and threaten to call the police.
Cloth
At resorts you can often see girls walking around in revealing outfits and sometimes even sunbathing topless, but it is better not to dress too revealingly so as not to attract public attention.
Dressing rules apply to both men and women. The first one should not wear shorts and expose your torso. And girls should remember that clothes should cover the shoulders, chest, stomach and legs, and should not be tight or transparent. It is also better to refrain from walking around the city in a swimsuit.
It is best to dress like the locals, in loose, lightweight cotton clothing. The further you are from big cities, the less revealing your outfit should be. You should be especially polite near sacred places and mosques.
Fraud
There are often petty scammers among taxi drivers. They may put you in a taxi that already has kilometers on the meter. Sometimes drivers refuse to give change or slip smaller bills. If you like to negotiate the price and drive with the meter turned off, then you should make sure that you are not paying per person, but for everyone. It’s better to find out prices from more experienced tourists so that they don’t try to deceive you.
Other scammers may try to sell you on some kind of free excursion, which will actually turn out to be paid and will be more like a strange whirlpool accompanied by an incomprehensible speech from the guide. Sometimes during this “tour” you will be offered to visit semi-legal shops where the guides receive a commission for each client. 
Taxi in Tunisia
Photographing
In Tunisia there is a very serious ban on any photography of not only government and military buildings, but also telecommunications, towers and bridges. Moreover, the police really strictly monitor the implementation of this law. You should definitely ask for permission before taking photographs of local residents or police officers - otherwise you may end up in a conversation with a police officer.
You should especially not take photographs of the Presidential Palace, located in Carthage - then you will definitely be guaranteed a long conversation with people in uniform.
Natural hazards
It should be remembered that Tunisia is a hot country, so in order not to get sunburned, it is better to try to walk outside as little as possible between noon and 4 pm. At this time, solar activity is especially high, so it is not recommended to sunbathe or simply stay in the sun for a long time. If you spend a long time walking around the market or exploring the city, you should periodically look for shade and stop by an air-conditioned cafe to cool down.
You should drink a lot of mineral water, it is advisable to have a whole bottle with you. In winter and summer, especially in August and September, it is imperative to wear sunglasses and a hat. On the beach, you should use a high-protection sunscreen.
However, you may want to bring some warm clothes as the desert and shore can get quite chilly in the evenings and you may want to go for a walk.
Jellyfish
There are jellyfish in the coastal waters of Tunisia, but you should not be seriously afraid of them. Sometimes their burns are painful, but the pain goes away after a few minutes. If the pain remains, then just rub the burn with a tomato slice.
Most often, jellyfish live off the coast of Sousse, but they are also spotted in Monastir and Hammamet. They are most active in July-August, although there are years when jellyfish are not visible at all.
Lately, to be honest, it’s been a little scary to travel anywhere, especially to fly to another country. Considering what is happening in the world now and how tense the political situation is, it is better not to leave the house at all)) But I want to sunbathe, lie on the warm sand and swim in the warm sea! And I also really, really want new experiences!
I’ll say right away that I was choosing a tour for a long time and very tediously, until recently I wanted to fly to Turkey, but due to recent events in Turkey, I was offered a last-minute tour to Tunisia and I agreed. Well, why not? I haven’t been to Tunisia yet; from a political point of view, of course, not everything is very calm, but where is it quiet now? On a desert island, if only.
Therefore, I bought additional life insurance and accident insurance (God protects those who are careful. I will still earn money, but you can’t buy a new life)
I’ll tell you a little about the pros and cons of holidays in Tunisia. I'll start with the good:) I like the hotel the most! Either because the hot tour also reduced its cost (and I, for a second, lived in a five-star hotel), or because Turkey and Tunisia are two completely different things. In Turkey, it’s not even clear that you’re in another country. The same “Russian faces”, the same “doesn’t your mother need a son-in-law?” and other obscenities shouted by sweet sellers in the market (and not only) of Turkey. In Tunisia, it seemed to me, everything is more civilized. Yes, I don’t argue, you are devoured by the eyes of indigenous men, but there is no escape from this, alas. I didn’t come on vacation to wear a burqa.
Even in Tunisia, I was struck by the abundance of excursions and excursion destinations where you can go to unwind, gawk, and take photographs. For new impressions, in general! We went on an excursion "Ancient Tunisia". My husband was completely delighted, he loves all sorts of ancient things, don’t feed him bread, let him look at something ancient. Of course, I also liked it, but not enough to be impressed by it for a whole year later.
I’ll tell you a little and dispel the myths that it’s better not to meddle in Tunisia, where tourists are almost stolen and killed in the main square))) All this is nonsense and nonsense in its purest form, I assure you! But either because they are afraid of instability in the city, or because of something else, I have never seen so many representatives of law and order in any city in the world than in Tunisia. I do not cheat! If you walk along the streets popular for tourists, police gentlemen (or whatever they call them) stand almost every 50 meters. This is great, of course, but for me it’s even too much :)
I’ll tell you a little about the mentality of the Tunisian people: as for me, everything is too strict and picky towards Russians, or something. Yes, of course, the fame of how our nation relaxes goes around the world. Just look at the "Tagiiiil!" and other similar videos on the Internet with the antics of our Russian fellow citizens. But I was very surprised when the bartender said to the man next to us (we were sitting at the bar with my husband, drinking coffee, we don’t drink alcohol in principle) in broken Russian: “Vodka is enough for you.” The man probably sobered up right away))) Although, as for me, he was not very drunk. Yes, I drank a little. This is quite strange and wonderful at the same time. I don’t know what this man did to deserve the bartender’s attitude towards himself. Maybe he caused a row before this...
And, to summarize my story: holidays in Tunisia are one hundred, or even two hundred percent safe! Our mother was more afraid for us (in Russia) than we were for ourselves in Tunisia! So if you are planning to go to Tunisia, go with confidence!
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