Explore Worldwide is gearing up to operate its first small group tours to Tunisia for nearly eight years this weekend following renewed demand for the destination.
The adventure specialist will host 13 guests on a 10-day Best of Tunisia tour departing on Saturday (16 March) with another eight departures scheduled for 2024, and 13 more planned for 2025.
Tunisia’s tourism economy has struggled to rebound from a series of recent crises, including the 2015 Sousse attack when 38 holidaymakers – 30 British and three Irish – were gunned down at a beach resort, and then the Covid pandemic,
However, Explore product manager for Africa, Antony Barton, said things were now looking up for Tunisia.
“Tunisia is a destination we’ve been asked a lot about in the last couple of years, and the demand is absolutely there," said Barton. "We’ve almost filled the nine departures we put on for 2024 in its first year back on sale, with 13 departures already starting to sell well for 2025."
Explore said Best of Tunisia was one of 13 new trips it introduced for 2024, and had so far been the fastest-selling.
Leading in from £1,639pp, the tour takes customers on a journey from capital Tunis and the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage to the desert where the Star Wars franchise was filmed before winding up in the coastal town of Hammamet.
Barton added: “We’re really proud of this new trip, which is a fantastic introduction to this wonderful and diverse country.
"Visitors will be treated to a winning combination of fascinating sites and history, vast and beautiful landscapes and a warm and welcoming culture and hospitality – all with really excellent local cuisine."
Explore last month celebrated becoming B Corp Certified after a rigorous two-and-a-half year process. Speaking to TTG, Explore managing director Michael Edwards hailed it one of his proudest moments.
"Becoming B Corp Certified is one thing I’m most proud of because it means we do all the things we say we will do, and there’s a third party certifying that,” he said.
“It’s not a pat on the back for yourself, it’s going through a rigorous process that says you’ve delivered on the things you’ve promised.”