The Foreign Office is warning against “all but essential” travel to part of a holiday hotspot this summer. Officials say there is current “terrorist activity” in the region and are urging tourists to go elsewhere.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is advising against visiting some areas of Tunisia, including some popular archaeological sites. Tunisia is a popular tourist destination, attracting over nine million visitors every year. They are drawn to the sunny weather, beautiful beaches and reasonable prices.
However, in a recent warning, the Foreign Office said: “FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the Tunisia-Algerian border in El Kef and Jendouba Governorates, south of the town of Jendouba. FCDO no longer advises against travel to the archaeological site of Chemtou.”
In 2023, a number of terrorist attacks were planned and carried out in the Goulette area. A police officer was fatally stabbed outside the Brazilian Embassy while two civilians were killed in a shooting at a Jewish pilgrimage site.
On Tunisia, the Foreign Office said: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
As well as the Tunisia-Algeria border, here is a list of all the places the Foreign Office advises against all travel to:
- the Chaambi Mountains National Park
- the designated military operations zones in 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 Tunisia-Libya border area north of Dhehiba
- the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area
Meanwhile, visitors are advised against all but essential travel to:
- areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba Governorate, including El Feidja National Park
- within 20km of the Tunisia-Algeria border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates, south of the town of Jendouba
- Kasserine Governorate, including the town of Sbeitla
- within 10km of the rest of the Tunisia-Algeria border south of Kasserine Governorate
- within 10km of Mount Mghila
- Mount Orbata