The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office has lifted its advice against travel to the majority of Tunisia, including the country’s main tourism attractions.

“We are delighted to receive this news still in time for last minute summer holiday bookings and the winter season,” commented Mounira Ben Cherifa, director of the Tunisian National Tourist Office in the UK.

“We will be communicating with all of our tour operators to see how quickly we can get airlift reinstated, meanwhile Tunis Air are flying daily from London Heathrow and Gatwick into Tunis.”

Tunisia recorded 2,833,781 tourist arrivals, up 29.4 per cent from January to July 10th, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.

Regarding the traditional markets of Tunisia, even though European tourists account for only 17 per cent of total arrivals, their number increased by 22.7 per cent.

The French ranked first with 228,094 tourists, up 43.1 per cent, followed by Germans (67,912 tourists) and Italians (40,113).

The British also returned to Tunisia, with 11,955 arrivals reported.

Commenting on the decision, ABTA said in a statement: “Restrictions remain in place for the south and interior and certain areas near the borders with Algeria and Libya.

“This change in level of travel advice means that travel to Tunisia can now resume and travel companies can put in place plans for holidays to Tunisia to restart, should they wish to do so.

“ABTA and its members rely on the informed expertise of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in relation to travel advice regarding specific destinations and will always advise the travelling public to follow this advice.

“Holidaymakers should always check this advice before booking or travelling to a destination.”

The full advice can be viewed here.