Modern tourists are constantly looking for the perfect holiday destination at an affordable price. Surely you are aware that the cost of holidays in many hot countries near the equator is quite high, but sometimes you want to feel the summer when it is the cold season in your home country. That is why many people choose Tunisia. This resort has a very hot climate and a good level of service, which was an important reason for traveling here.

In Tunisia It’s really very interesting even for those who are used to passive recreation around, but don’t forget that dangers can lurk everywhere. In fact, a vacation can be a wonderful opportunity for you to experience summer and be filled with impressions, or you can find yourself in an unpleasant situation. Let's reveal some features of a holiday in Tunisia so that you can protect yourself and your family from various troubles.

1. Features of the local climate. In fact, on a trip to Tunisia you will need to pack a lot of things in your suitcase, because it is quite hot during the day and cool in the evenings. Of course, you shouldn’t take jackets and warm shoes, but light T-shirts and sundresses will not be enough. Please note that you can easily get sunstroke or burn during the day, so be sure to bring sunscreen with you and apply it several times a day. Give preference to light-colored clothes made from natural cotton, because they best protect against the aggressive effects of sunlight. To avoid getting sunstroke, you should drink more fluids and spend most of your time in the shade. Pay attention to the mint and green tea served at your local cafe, as it will perfectly protect you from thirst.

2. Poisonous jellyfish in Tunisia. Those who prefer to swim in the open sea may face danger in the form of sea creatures. The peak of jellyfish activity in Tunisia occurs in August, so if you do not want to meet this creature one-on-one, then reschedule your trip to another month. You shouldn’t be afraid for your life, because a jellyfish sting is not fatal, but you will need time for rehabilitation, so it’s better not to risk it. If you do not want to spend several days of precious rest in a hotel room, then always adhere to the rules of swimming on the beach and plan your vacation not for the month of August. Pay special attention to choosing a month for vacation with children, because a jellyfish sting will be much more dangerous for their body.

3. Local thieves. Unfortunately, like any other place where a huge number of tourists constantly accumulate, there are scammers and thieves in Tunisia who can cause a significant blow to your pocket. There are not isolated cases when thieves snatch a bag or gold jewelry right on the street, so tourists are better off leaving their valuables at home so as not to encounter this trouble. Pickpockets are also a common category of people in Tunisia who will stealthily pick out your bags and pockets. If you don't want to end up in such an unpleasant situation, then avoid crowds, try not to walk around the city alone and watch your belongings when shopping at the local market.

4. Danger for visiting women. In Tunisia, no one really bothers to know basic etiquette when dealing with women. Relations between representatives of the stronger and weaker sex here are quite free and democratic. There are often situations when a woman becomes the object of attention of not very decent local residents. Harassment, whistling and vulgar advances are all quite common in Tunisia. Try not to walk down the street without being accompanied by a male acquaintance, and under no circumstances get into cars with strangers. There are many more dishonest men in Tunisia than in Turkey or Egypt. It is especially dangerous to walk the streets at night, so try to attend events that last past midnight within the confines of your hotel.

5. Unstable political situation in Tunisia. If you decide to visit Tunisia, then find out in advance from your travel agency consultant what is currently happening there. Terrorist attacks are not uncommon for this resort, so carefully study the information about the country before you go with the whole family on the expected “safe” vacation. Due to constant political conflicts, kidnappings and even murders occur in Tunisia, so it is better to choose a safer place for a family holiday. Of course, such situations are rare here, but the very fact of probability should make you take an interest in the situation in the country in advance.

6. Dehydration. It is constantly hot in Tunisia, so local residents are accustomed to the need to drink 2-3 liters of clean water daily. Tourists upon arrival in Tunisia believe that there is no need to worry and neglect this rule. In fact, you can get sunstroke much faster if you don't drink enough water. Please note that drinking local tap water is strictly prohibited, as it can cause food poisoning and will bring absolutely no benefit to your body. Buy bottled water to protect yourself and your family from dehydration and cleanse your body with healthy water.

7. Risk of intestinal infections in Tunisia. In fact, you don’t need to do anything for local diseases, because vacationing in this country is quite safe for your health. But you will need to worry about observing basic hygiene rules. Avoid eating in dubious cafes and restaurants so as not to put your health at risk. Intestinal infections are not uncommon, so pay attention to this feature. Try to pour boiling water over fruits and vegetables that you bought from local residents. Do not forget that in crowded places there can be a huge number of infections, so upon returning to the hotel, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and treat them with antibacterial gel.

8. Minor troubles in Tunisia. In any country, it is important to be attentive to the service staff, the store clerk and the food you buy outside the hotel. Be sure to check your change, negotiate the cost of a taxi or public transport trip in advance, and peel fruits purchased at the market. You must remember that in Tunisia there are a lot of people who want to make money from you in an unfair way, so keep your documents with you, keep an eye on your things on the beach and try not to store valuables in safes.

Tunisia is one of those countries that are especially popular among Russian tourists. The subtropical climate and the Mediterranean Sea are not the only things that attract vacationers. This is a visa-free country, to enter which you only need an exit stamp from your country. The cost of a tour to Tunisia is significantly lower compared to or, which explains such a constant flow of people vacationing there.

Major resorts

There is nothing for tourists to do in the central part of the country. The local Muslim population is not used to seeing foreigners on their streets, so the appearance of a tourist in such a place is considered unacceptable. Usually, all vacationers come to the coast. Sousse, Hamammet, Tabarka, Djerba, Monastirka are the main resort towns of Tunisia. In each of them, everything is arranged so that tourists can constantly have fun and relax without leaving their city. For example, Sousse is a suitable place for those who love nightclubs, casinos and bars. For lovers of exotic places, Hamammet with its famous orange, lemon and jasmine gardens is suitable.

Tragic events in Tunisia

Let us recall that in 2015, a wave of not only mass demonstrations and rallies of the local population took place throughout Tunisia, but also several major terrorist attacks aimed at foreign citizens and vacationing tourists. The first attack occurred on the National Museum of Bordeaux, where about 20 foreigners were killed and another 50 were injured. Later, in June of the same year, in one of the country’s resort towns, Sousse, local militants burst into the territory of two hotels and shot almost all the tourists who were there. An Islamist terrorist organization claimed responsibility for these events.

Situation in 2018

At the beginning of 2018, mass rallies and social protests took place in Tunisia, some of which escalated into fights and clashes with the police. At the moment, these large-scale protests continue to operate throughout Tunisia, with the main capital of the country at particular risk. The Federal Agency for Tourism recently put forward its recommendations to Russian citizens regarding their stay in this country, where they earnestly asked them to refrain from visiting particularly dangerous zones and places of demonstrations.

The Tunisian authorities claim that they are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of tourists - this is confirmed by the recently released bill to strengthen security measures in Tunisia.

Should tourists go to Tunisia this year?

Many vacationers are faced with a difficult and difficult choice. On the one hand, there is fear for one’s life in such a tense political situation in Tunisia, on the other hand, there is an affordable and good holiday on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Today, it is one of the safest places in Tunisia for tourists. At the entrance to it there is a checkpoint where all vehicles and passengers are carefully checked. You can’t easily get into the hotel territory without a special pass. The beaches are under constant surveillance by the police and armed guards; from suspicious persons they require a hotel guest card or a document confirming that you are an ordinary tourist. A boat trip for vacationers is accompanied by security. All hotels are equipped with video cameras and enhanced security.

People who have already been there claim that a holiday in Tunisia does not pose any danger. If you follow all the simple recommendations and rules of the authorities - do not move around the country on your own and do not leave the recreation area, which is guarded around the clock, then you can completely relax and enjoy the holiday you want.

An outbreak of the deadly West Nile virus has been reported in Tunisia. This has already been confirmed by the country's Ministry of Health.

According to the Al Arabiya news agency, doctors currently suspect 69 people have been infected with the virus. In addition, information has been confirmed about three Tunisians infected and one dead from the fever.

The Tunisian Ministry of Health notes that this is the fourth outbreak of West Nile virus in the country: the previous ones were in 1997, 2003 and 2012.

According to doctors, the spread of fever is facilitated by high humidity, which was recorded in Tunisia after the recent flood. In addition, the virus is carried by migratory birds, flying mainly off the coast of the country in tourist areas, informs the portal inforeactor.ru

Earlier, experts warned tourists about the dangers of visiting Tunisia. There is a cholera epidemic in the country. The causative agent of acute intestinal infection may come from neighboring Algeria, where an outbreak of this dangerous disease has been recorded, reports Tunis Afrique Presse.

According to Dr. Fathi Bettaib, the first symptoms appear in those infected only after 10 days. During this time, the carrier can manage to cross the border and transmit the virus to other people. If the virus gets to Tunisia, the situation will be catastrophic, the doctor believes.

“This disease is like an oil slick and spreads very quickly. Just one infected person can transmit the virus to a hundred people,” Bettaib said.

As of August 27, the number of cholera cases in Algeria has increased to 56 confirmed cases. Two sick people died in hospital.

The Tunisian authorities hastened to assure that there is not a single case of cholera infection in the country. At the same time, Health Minister Mohamed Rabi called on citizens and tourists to be careful and strengthen hygiene, reports mir24.tv

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, which enters the body through contaminated water or food. A person quickly (up to 10 liters per day) loses fluid, leading to hypovolemic shock and death. Children suffer especially poorly from the disease. Patients with symptoms of this disease require comprehensive treatment in the intensive care unit.

And all this is happening against the background of the flood that happened in Tunisia. In Nabeul province in northeastern Tunisia, five hotels were flooded as a result of flooding. Civil protection units have been sent there to pump out the water, Tourism Minister Selma Ellumi Rekik said.

According to Tunisia's central civil protection office, 25 Japanese citizens who were trapped in a gym due to flooding were evacuated the day before.

The Russian Embassy in Tunisia has not yet received information about Russians injured as a result of the flood, reports the portal dailyhype.ru
Yesterday and today, heavy rains occurred in the northeastern regions of Tunisia, causing flooding and mudslides. Six people were reported dead, including a 12-year-old child. Many residential and transport infrastructure facilities were flooded or damaged.

Some parts of the country received up to 206 mm of rainfall on Saturday (recorded at the Nabeul weather station), which is half the annual rainfall.

Houses and cars were damaged by floodwaters. The currents were so strong that cars floated through the city streets, as was the case in the city of Nabeul.

As a result of the disaster, automobile and pedestrian bridges and roads were destroyed or damaged.

Moreover, crime is growing every day in Tunisia: over the past few months, the number of robberies and robberies in the North African country has increased several times. And the worst thing is that in most cases, tourists who come to relax on local coasts suffer, reports the portal planet-today.ru

Unfortunately, vacationers can face danger not only at resorts, but also in the air harbor, where, as it turns out, crime is also rampant. So, just a few days ago, two porters were detained at Enfid Hammamet International Airport for theft of passenger luggage. All stolen objects were confiscated from the attackers, and they themselves were placed under arrest.

It is worth noting that a huge number of crimes in Tunisia also occur in hotels and on their premises. For example, in early September, a man was robbed on the beach of Hammamet. When leaving the sea, he was missing 8 thousand dollars, and also did not find his car keys or clothes.

It is known that after contacting the police, the victim was able to return his personal belongings, but law enforcement officers were unable to find a large amount of money, as well as the hooligans themselves.

The situation in Tunisia has long been out of control of the authorities. And recent events confirm this. Indeed, today even law enforcement officers are becoming victims of criminals. So, recently in Sousse a group of hooligans attacked a policeman, taking away his valuables and money.

“Tunisia, unlike many other countries in the region, does not have oil and gas. Therefore, tourism was extremely important for the country,”- explains expert on Africa, leading researcher at the Center for Partnership of Civilizations at MGIMO (U), orientalist Yuri Zimin.

Alas, the authorities of the North African state prefer to turn a blind eye to the crime situation in Tunisia and ignore what is happening in every possible way. However, the crime rate has increased to such an extent that it is no longer possible to hide it. And if the situation does not change, the country may soon lose one of its main sources of income - tourists.

Tempting, hot, exotic Tunisia continues to attract tourists, despite the fact that in the recent past the country has been under great threat of terrorist attacks and civil unrest. At the moment, the situation in Tunisia is calm, but the lack of reports of terrorist attacks in the latest news does not allow the authorities to weaken their control over the safety of tourists in 2018.

Although there is no strict ban on Russian citizens visiting Tunisia, there are urgent recommendations from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

According to information posted on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry, there is no official ban on Russian tourists visiting Tunisia in 2018. But it is worth paying attention to the ministry’s recommendations regarding trips to this country for tourism purposes. The Foreign Ministry warns that a visit to this country may be unsafe if certain precautions are not observed.

In particular, it says that:

1. Do not leave the hotel grounds or tourist areas.
2. You should not go on excursions to the country’s historical places, monuments and protected areas on your own.
3. It is worth refraining from staying in the vicinity of the Tunisian-Libyan border.

All the ministry’s precautions are based on the fact that, according to the latest news, the threat of terrorist attacks remains in the country in 2018 and the situation for tourists is unfavorable.

In addition, recent unrest in the neighboring state also provokes concern for the well-being of Russian tourists.

• do not leave the hotel premises;
• contact the local police;
• Be sure to notify the Russian Embassy in Tunisia about any incidents.

It is obvious that, according to the latest news about the situation in Tunisia in 2018, maximum measures have been taken by hotel owners and the management of the resort region for the safety of tourists.

Safety measures in tourist areas

Every hotel in Tunisia that hosts tourists has taken increased measures in 2018 to ensure the safety of tourists on vacation.

These include:

1. Ensuring the entry of tourists into the protected area of ​​the hotel through a single entrance, which is under 24-hour surveillance by armed guards.
2. Security work throughout the hotel and beach. These may be law enforcement officers in uniform or in plain clothes who observe what is happening without revealing themselves. Each of the security officers has weapons and walkie-talkies. Specialists can contact each other if necessary and transmit information about the objects located and what is happening in the protected area.
3. Tourist buses providing transfers or trips to attractions are carefully inspected by security personnel before departure and are escorted throughout the journey by security guards.
4. Buses carrying tourists are equipped with a satellite tracking system. They are monitored remotely and their location and condition are known at any time.
5. Customs controls have been increased when boarding a plane to Tunisia. Baggage and passengers are inspected more thoroughly.
6. The largest hotels are equipped with a special video surveillance system - smart cameras that can automatically track a person who repeatedly passes by. They plan to equip all hotels in Tunisia with similar systems in the near future.
7. On the streets of Tunisia there is an increased number of patrols and police officers monitoring citizens and tourists.

It should be noted that the country's citizens do not look intimidated or tense. Life in the resort regions of this country flows measuredly and according to customs.

But in this situation, such a high level of responsibility and control is justified, because the lives and health of compatriots and guests of the country are at stake.

The most favorable time to holiday in Tunisia

Tunisia is an attractive country for tourists. It is accessible to visitors all year round. Despite the surge in terrorist activity in the recent past and unrest on the country's border, tourists are not abandoning this destination in 2018. The high season in this country is considered to be from April to October. During this period, the air temperature is high and the sea is well warmed up. This is the most favorable season for relaxing on the clean and beautiful beaches of Tunisia.

The velvet season and the most expensive holiday season are considered to be September and October. At this time, the sun's rays are no longer so active, but the air temperature is still very favorable for sunbathing and pleasant time by the water. The sea remains warm.

From late October to early April, the flow of tourists to this country decreases slightly, but still does not stop. During this period, Tunisia is visited by those who prefer active recreation and exploring the sights of the country. At Christmas and New Year there is a surge in activity and trips become more expensive, you have to book them in advance.

Tunisia is a small but very hospitable and quite interesting country. Holidays in Tunisia are very comfortable and varied, and at the same time with a bright North African flavor. Of course, in recent years the situation in Tunisia cannot be called stable. However, the country's leadership is taking all necessary measures to ensure complete safety for tourists in Tunisia.

The country has drafted a bill that contains a report on strengthening security measures in the country. At the same time, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued some recommendations for tourists in 2016...... “It is recommended not to leave the boundaries of the hotel and tourist areas, not to make individual trips, incl. to tourist attractions, carefully monitor the safety of existing valuables. In case of emergency situations, you must immediately contact the Tunisian police and inform the Russian Embassy in Tunisia.” The time is just around the corner when the first planes with tourists will begin to land at Tunisian airports, hotels will begin to welcome their guests, and sunbathers will appear on the magnificent beaches and swim in the gentle sea, and tourist buses will take them to the sights of the country. Of course, all travelers hope for a good and unforgettable vacation. However, the North African country has been subject to political and terrorist turmoil in recent years. In Tunisia in 2015, several dozen people died as a result of terrorist actions. The state of emergency in the country, established after the terrorist attack on November 24, 2015, was extended until June 22, 2016. The upcoming 2017 beach season... will it be safe?

Let's try to figure out how dangerous it is in Tunisia today. It is impossible to say that everything is very calm in Tunisia. There are various demonstrations and clashes on political grounds. The authorities periodically find and neutralize terrorist groups that plan attacks and raids. The situation is especially difficult on the Tunisian-Libyan border. Since 2011, Arab countries have become one of the leading regions in terms of the number of internally displaced persons. This problem occurred before in Algeria, Iraq, the Palestinian territories, and Western Sahara, but after the “Arab Spring” the scale of migration flows increased significantly. An equally difficult situation due to the presence of forcibly displaced persons (refugees) from Libya has developed in Tunisia, which has received the bulk of the Libyans. On the one hand, quite a lot has been said about the refugee problem in Tunisia and the negative impact of this factor on the state of the economy and security in the country. On the other hand, relatively little is known about this problem, and various sources providing data contradict each other.

Before the events of 2011, economic relations between the two states were close and active. Libyan tourists also had a positive impact on the Tunisian economy: in the “pre-war” years they were in first place in the number of people crossing the Tunisian border for tourism purposes. True, most of these visits were not long, limited to 1-2 days, so the influence on the part of the Libyans on revenue indicators for Tunisian tourism industry enterprises was not proportional. However, they were the main consumers of medical tourism services, providing up to 80% of the demand for them and significantly stimulating its development. Jenue Afrique estimates that 430,000 Libyans fled to neighboring Tunisia in 2011 to escape civil war. Let me immediately make a reservation that this and subsequent figures on the quantitative indicator of Libyan migrants in Tunisia should be treated more than critically. The measures taken in 2013 and subsequent years to strengthen the state border, including sending army units there and constructing technical means of defense, could have helped to clarify the situation with statistics, but by that time a significant part of the Libyans were already in Tunisia. Today, according to various estimates, there are about 1.2 million refugees in Tunisia. The reason for choosing Tunisia as a destination for Libyan refugees is that the borders with this country, unlike Algeria or Egypt, were open. In addition, Tunisia was a familiar country for Libyans, many of them owned real estate here. If in the first years of their stay in Tunisia, Libyan refugees had a stimulating effect on the weakened economy, at the moment there is a clear tendency to increase the negative effect of their stay here. This is dictated by the elementary laws of economics: the growth in demand was not really supported by an increase in labor productivity and other economic indicators of Tunisia, which as a result leads to an increase in domestic prices for rental real estate, food, and some services, which is reflected in the standard of living of Tunisians. Against the backdrop of the deteriorating economic situation in Libya, the incomes of Libyans in Tunisia are also declining, and personal savings are running out. This negatively affects their solvency. Given the current situation, there is no potential for economic growth in Libya, so the situation of Libyan IDPs will become worse over time. In view of this, slogans about readiness to help brotherly Libya are heard less and less, and the population of Tunisia began to express dissatisfaction over the refugee problem. As for security threats from Libyan refugees, they certainly exist.

We are talking primarily about arms smuggling and the possibility of criminal elements or potential terrorists entering Tunisia. True, there are plenty of the latter in Tunisia itself, and the 2015 terrorist attacks against tourists were not directly related to Libyan refugees. However, there is every reason for fears of this kind. Since 2012, another threat has emerged in the form of the spread of the Libyan conflict to Tunisia. This means that if in 2011 the conflict was clearer, since its participants were divided into opponents of the regime and its supporters, then in subsequent years the conflict in Libya acquired a different color with inter-tribal and inter-clan enmity, blood feud, etc. However, in addition to strengthening the border, the Tunisian authorities have taken a number of measures aimed at increasing internal control over the Libyan diaspora. It is likely that as the situation in Libya worsens, the problem of Libyan migrants in Tunisia will worsen. It’s hard to say what all this will lead to. A social explosion is possible in the form of dissatisfaction among the local population with guests from Libya and the inaction of the authorities, or actions with the aim of expelling them from here. Some kind of uprising on the part of the refugees themselves cannot be ruled out. Work is also being done on the anti-terrorist front. Thus, Tunisian security forces just recently uncovered the activities of a terrorist cell associated with militants in Algeria and Libya. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic reported this in its communiqué. As the department notes, “the criminals were recruiting new militants into the ranks of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS, banned in the Russian Federation) and operated in the cities of Sidi Bouzid, Beja and Tunisia.”

The tough security policy of the Tunisian authorities, as well as anti-terrorist measures carried out throughout the country, make it possible to regularly arrest persons involved in extremist activities. Tunisia, due to the chaos after the Jasmine Revolution and the failure of attempts to revive the economy, is faced with an unprecedented increase in jihadist sentiment among young people. This brought, in general, Tunisia, which was previously very “modest” in this regard, to the first line of Arab countries, which are suppliers of “Islamist infantry” to “hot spots”. In terms of percentage, the Tunisians are far ahead of the previously undisputed leader Morocco in this regard.

This state of affairs is forcing the United States and France to increasingly participate in the formation of the country’s actually weakened security forces and providing them with the weapons and equipment necessary for carrying out anti-terrorist operations. It seems that the terrorist attack on December 19 in Berlin, organized by a native of Tunisia, will only further strengthen this trend. The situation in Tunisia is now relatively normal. Of course, it is advisable for all tourists to watch the news and read information on the Internet before traveling... Although, even at a time when there were protests in the country, beach resorts and the coastal strip were not ************ ********** vacationers did not even know what was happening in the country.

Now there are a lot of police in Tunisia, you can find them almost everywhere. The police are much more loyal to tourists than to local residents. Sometimes the police approach tourists and ask if everything is okay, etc. As for other threats, you can encounter theft or fraud in any country, so you always need to be attentive and careful.