The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office has changed its level of advice to Tunisia and now advises against all but essential travel to the country.

The decision comes as a result of the ongoing investigation into the events that took place in Tunisia on June 26th, with a further attack believed to be “highly likely”.

ABTA estimates there are around 3,000 customers currently on holiday with its members in Tunisia, but there will also be a number of holidaymakers who have travelled independently. 

Most travel companies have been allowing customers with holidays booked to Tunisia to cancel or amend their booking following the incident last month so the numbers are significantly down for this time of year; although some have chosen to continue with their holidays.

The FCO said in a statement: “Since the attack in Sousse, 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 and we have therefore changed our travel advice accordingly.”

Holidaymakers in Tunisia are advised to contact their travel company to confirm arrangements for returning home.

Those who have travelled independently are advised to follow Foreign Office advice and consider if it is essential to stay in Tunisia.

Holidaymakers are also being warned, following the FCO decision, travelling to Tunisia at this time is likely to invalidate travel insurance policies.

However, most insurance policies will still provide cover for travellers in a country at the time of Foreign Office advice change.

Those with holidays booked within the next 48 hours to Tunisia are advised to contact their travel company to discuss available options.

Those people with bookings beyond the summer are advised to wait until closer to the departure date to contact their travel company as the situation is fluid.

Travel giants Thomson and First Choice said they had no customers currently in Tunisia, had taken the decision to repatriate all British Thomson and First Choice staff currently working in Tunisia within the next 24 hours as a precautionary measure.

Customers due to travel to Tunisia up to and including October 31st will be given the opportunity to amend their holiday free of charge to any of our destinations currently on sale, or receive a full refund.