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Operators to resume Tunisia flights at end of month

Thomas Cook, Thomson and First Choice plan to resume charter flights to Tunisia at the end of the month.

The move to resume holiday flights to Monastir came as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office lifted its ban on all but non-essential travel to the North African country.

Operators pulled out of Tunisia after a state of emergency was declared on January 14 following the departure of former President Ben Ali.

There were street protests and violence prior to and after his departure from the country as part of a wave of demonstrations against the former regime.

Tunisair has been operating a normal schedule from the UK to Tunis since January 17.

Last year saw a record rise in UK visitors to Tunisia with 353,282 arrivals, up 28% on 2009 and exceeding the previous record of 350,000 in 2006.
 
Tunisian National Tourist Office UK & Ireland director Anissa Ramoundi said: “During the last month Tunisia has experienced a period of political unrest and great change, however the situation has now calmed down, and we are pleased to see that the FCO has changed their advice accordingly.
 
“With free elections in sight and a more open and liberal government in the making Tunisians are now optimistic about the future.

“The UK market is incredibly important for Tunisia and I hope that British visitors will support us, as we get back on our feet, by returning to our resorts to enjoy their holidays.

“The tourist areas of Yasmine Hammamet and Port El Kantaoui were never at the heart of the protests, and Tunisians in these areas are looking forward to getting back to work and making sure our visitors have wonderful holidays.”

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