Tunisia: destination guide for travel agents

Can this North African nation emerge from the shadow of its rival Morocco? Janine Kelso looks at what’s on offer

Sandwiched between Algeria and Libya, Tunisia has an enviable stretch of golden coastline, a rich cultural heritage and year-round sunshine.

Despite this, the country has always attracted fewer tourists than Morocco, which is considered more upmarket and chic, and last year its visitor numbers were down on 2006.

In a bid to reverse this trend, the Tunisian National Tourist Office is poised to implement an aggressive marketing campaign in September.

New developments include the recently opened five-star Hasdrubal Prestige hotel in Djerba, and five-star The Residence in Gammarth will open an 18-hole golf course in July, adding to established championship courses in Tunis, Hammamet, Port El Kantaoui and Monastir.

Cadogan Holidays recently introduced a number of bookable excursions in Tunisia, such as a two-day desert safari.

Tunis

Tunisia’s capital is a melting pot of North African, Middle Eastern and European influences, with long boulevards, French patisseries and hammams. Haggle for perfume, jewellery and cloth at the bustling medina and sip mint tea in a cafe-bar.

Hammamet

Hailed as the Garden Resort thanks to its many olive, orange and lemon groves, Tunisia’s most famous resort has an ancient medina and miles of sandy beach. There are lots of hotels, shops and restaurants and two casinos.

Nabeul

Just north of Hammamet is Nabeul, which has amazing beaches and a lively market. The upmarket Avenue Bourguiba is lined with boutiques, villas and an archaeological museum.

Yasmine Hammamet

Tunisia’s newest resort has miles of sandy beaches and four and five-star hotels surrounding the marina. The new medina has a string of boutiques, cafes and restaurants to keep tourists entertained, while families can visit the Carthage Land theme park or Blue Ice, the country’s only ice rink.

Sousse

This lively beach resort has an abundance of cafes, restaurants and nightspots. Don’t leave without exploring the winding streets that make up the old medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a quieter option, suggest Port El Kantaoui, six miles up the road.

Monastir/Skanes

Popular trips from Monastir include a visit to the 3rd-century Roman amphitheatre at El Jem and a tour to the holy Muslim city of Kairouan with a dramatic Great Mosque and traditional carpet industry.

Sample product

Just Sunshine offer seven nights’ all-inclusive at the four-star Hotel El Mouradi Skanes for £349 per person in June, including flights and transfers.

Wigmore Holidays offers four nights’ bed and breakfast at the El Medina boutique hotel in Tunis for £595 per person, for departures until July 17, including flights and transfers.

Suggested itineraries

Four days: Shop for carpets, silks, spices, perfumes and clothes in Tunis, Sousse or Hammamet. 

Seven days: Explore the country’s archaeological sites, such as the holy city of Kairouan and the underground homes of Bulla Regia. 

Two weeks: Combine a tour of Tunisia’s cultural sights with a relaxing stay at one of its many beach resorts, such as Hammamet.