Thousands of Brits are STILL heading to Tunisia despite beach terror massacre as five-star hotel rooms drop to a bargain £11 a night
HOLIDAY companies have been criticised for offering £11-a-night rooms at five-star hotels in terror-hit Tunisia, which thousands of Brits are snapping up because of the cheap prices.
Popular websites such as Trivago are offering bargain rooms in Sousse, Tunisia, where 30 Brits were massacred by Islamic State gunman Seifeddine Rezgui in 2015.
As a result of the tragedy, the Foreign Office changed its advice, and has since been advising against all travel to large areas of the country.
And for the rest of Tunisia, including the holiday hotspots, the Foreign Office has since been advising against all but "essential" travel with a state of emergency in place.
However it is understood that 23,428 Brits went to Tunisia last year despite fears of a terror attack.
Lastminute and Trivago are among the websites offering the rooms.
Holiday experts say that despite the risk of terror attacks, Brits are still being lured because of the cheap prices on offer.
The Sun Online has found rooms at five-star hotels as cheap as £11 a night in Sousse, with many more on offer between the price range of £11 to £20.
This includes the Marhaba Royal Salem, Tej Marhaba, Royal Beach and El Hana Hannibal Palace.
Holidaytravelwatch.com expert Frank Brehany told the Sunday People: “Serious questions must be asked if companies promote sun-soaked beaches and azure seas over the reality or history of risk.”
Foreign Office travel advice to Tunisia
Since the terrorist attack in Sousse in June 2015, we have been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to investigate the attack and the wider threat from terrorist groups in Tunisia.
Although we have had good co-operation from the Tunisian government, including putting in place additional security measures, the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, reinforcing our view that a further terrorist attack is highly likely. On balance, we do not believe the mitigation measures in place provide adequate protection for British tourists in Tunisia at the present time.
On July 8, 2015, the Tunisian Prime Minister stated publicly that further attacks were likely. The Tunisian authorities have increased their security measures but have also acknowledged the limitations in their ability to counter the current terrorist threat.
On May 11, 2016, a number of suspected terrorists were killed or arrested during armed clashes with security forces in the Mnhila district of greater Tunis and 4 National Guards were also killed by a suicide bomb during a security operation in Tataouine in southern Tunisia.
In early March 2016, security forces repelled attacks by terrorists in Ben Guerdane, close to the Libyan border. Over 60 fatalities resulted, the majority of which were terrorists. Members of the security forces and civilians were also killed.
There are no direct flights between the UK and Monastir or Enfidah airports. There are daily Tunis Air flights from Tunis Carthage airport direct to London, and indirect daily departures with European carriers. Contact your airline or travel company directly if you have an enquiry about your travel plans.
If you choose to travel to or remain in Tunisia then you should check that your insurance policy provides adequate cover.
Last year the Tunisian government begged the Foreign Office to relax its travel advice on the country after British visitor levels plummeted by 90 per cent following the terror attack.
The Tunisian ambassador to the UK, Nabil Ammar, said the UK should take into account security improvements that have been made over the last 12 months.
He said: “Every week terrorist cells are dismantled. Terrorists are arrested or neutralised. This should give a positive image, not a negative one.
“If you take statistics, you have much less chance to die in Tunisia or to have any harm in Tunisia than so many countries close to us.”
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