Tunisia tourism hit harder than Egypt by Arab Spring-Travel Weekly

In a special report by the  tourism industry publication Travel Weekly the situation of Tunisia as regards toursim arrivals is rated as more critical than Egypt.

Research commissioned by Travel Weekly shows that Tunisia's revolution has had a more negative effect on British tourists than the ongoing Egyptian turmoil.Many potential UK holidaymakers would shun Tunisia as wish to visit following last year’s events and Travel weekly notes that Morocco has also been affected despite not having a revolution.

Despite the current chaos British travellers prefer Egypt to any other destination in North Africa. Research firm TNS surveyed more than 2,000 UK adults in the middle of April, asking whether they would “actively consider a holiday” in one of the affected countries “in the next year or so”. TNS also asked whether they would “definitely not visit on holiday”.

More than one in four (27%)adults said they would consider visiting Egypt, while more than one in three (37%) said they would definitely not go.

Just 13% would consider Tunisia, but almost three times as many (36%) said they would not go to the country.

Morocco had one in five (19%) who would consider a holiday, but one-third (33%) would not entertain the idea.

Perceptions of the three major destinations seem to differ significantly by age group. More than half (54%) of young adults, aged 16-24, would consider a holiday to Egypt in the next year, but just 12% of those over 55.

Conversely, 54% of over-55s would not entertain the idea of visiting Egypt.

Similarly, 51% of over-55s would not visit Tunisia and 49%  would not visit Morocco. The proportions were lower among younger respondents: 34% of 25 to 54‑year‑olds would not go to Tunisia and  some 30% would not visit Morocco.

Among 16 to 34-year‑olds the proportion of Britons who would stay away was lower still: 21% would avoid Egypt, 22% Tunisia  and 18% Morocco. On the plus side, 44% of the younger group would visit Egypt and 28% Morocco. However, only 16% said they  would go to Tunisia.

Those with children showed greater interest in Egypt than those without: 32% said they would consider a visit, compared with 25% among those without. Yet adults without children were more likely than families to consider Morocco: 20% against 16%.

The south of England and London were more ready to travel to North African destinations thanthose in the North and other regions in the UK reflecting a possible shortage of flights to the region but also a more relaxed attitude to foreign travel from Londoners.

Egypt has had security problems in the past such as the Luxor massacre but tourists have always returned and remained loyal to the market place. Tunisia's more recent disturbances including very agressive bullying and well publicised Salafist demonstrations as well as instability on the border with Libya and reports of some arms smuggling have all no doubt had their effect.

British people can only have sympathy with those that are struggling for democracy. In the case of Morocco the effect of the Argana Cafe bomb in Marrakech in 2011 is still being felt .

Tourism in Marrakech has  however, clearly recovered from its very low period immediately following the bomb. The throw away remark by Justice Minister Mustapha Ramid, widely covered in the British press tourists came to Marrakech "to sin and stay away from God" has certainly had an effect and was widely criticised by many tourism professionals in Morocco and the UK.

British tourists will tend to avoid a location where they feel unwelcome.