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Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images, file
Tourists look at the sea in Sidi Bou Said on October 19, 2011, days before a historic national election in Tunisia.
Sun worshippers are welcome on Tunisia's beaches even though an Islamist government now runs the Mediterranean country which relies heavily on tourism to fill its coffers, its prime minister said on Monday.
"We will respect the traditions of our visitors in their food, and clothing and lifestyle," Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said at a conference to promote tourism held on the island of Djerba, known for its white sandy beaches and luxury spas.
As if to reinforce his message, a wide selection of alcoholic beverages was on offer at the opening ceremony of the tourism conference on Sunday night.
That message is in stark contrast to neighboring Libya, which earlier this year told msnbc.com it does not intend to follow Tunisia and Morocco down the road of mass tourism and relatively widespread alcohol sales.
Jebali's moderate Islamist Ennahda party took power at the head of a coalition in an election after last year's revolution, which ousted veteran leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and sparked the Arab Spring.
Could sun-soaked Libya be the Mediterranean's next tourism hot spot?
Tunisia, which relies on tourism for almost 7 percent of its gross domestic product, saw visitor numbers and tourist revenues drop by more than a third after the revolution.
"Unfortunately, some want to paint Tunisia as a jungle and sow fear of the Ennahda government but this does not reflect reality and the proof is that these critics speak freely," Jebali told journalists on the sidelines of the conference.
Fethi Belaid / AFP - Getty Images, file
Residents of Tunisian town of Hammamet hold placards reading "Don't touch my tourism!" as take part in a silent march named "citizen walk in support of tourism " in April 2011.
About 5 million tourists visited the country last year, down from 7 million in 2010 as fears over security caused tourists to flee or to cancel bookings.
Tunisia has since made a relatively smooth transition to democracy and tourists are returning to its coastal resorts. But occasional protests and lingering fears that Ennahda will slowly seek to Islamise society have held back the recovery, as has the economic crisis in Europe.
Jebali said bookings had improved for 2012 and Tunisia hoped to regain its 7 million tourists and top that by encouraging visits to historical, cultural sites and the southern desert.
In an effort to allay fears that Tunisia would impose sharia, or Islamic law, as some conservative Islamists have demanded, Jebali said a constitution is being drafted that would protect the "civil" nature of the state.
"We want to reassure everyone and even our own people that there is nothing to fear from freedom and democracy," he said.
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
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When I am on vacation I like to sit on a beach chair, not in a foxhole with sandbags. Pass.
I was there on business in January and it was very pleasant. No protests, no gun shots...no need for a foxhole - and we also traveled to the northern coast by Algeria. All peaceful.
The people are very polite - well educated and negotiation is the game in the souks.
Thanks, for the polite response and sharing your personal experience.
I'd probably go visit there if I had the time and inclination. The Mediterranean climate is ridiculously gorgeous and it's much more affordable than comparable European Mediterranean getaways (Italy, Spain, France, etc.). I'd be a little concerned about security, but probably less so than if I was in Mexico or any Central American state.
I like it when countries use their natural gifts to become economically successful. Take Croatia for example... just a decade or so ago, they were suffering from the Balkans conflict and civil war. Today, tourism makes up about a fifth of their entire GDP. They have some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen, rivaling anything in the Caribbean. You just have to get past the perception of it as a war-torn hellhole that the media imprinted on you, because it's not anymore. Give Tunisia a few years; I bet they can follow the same model.
...time and inclination and money.
I see what you did there.
Wow.
To compare what took place in the Balkins to the Arab Spring that occurred in Tunisia is a joke!
It was all over but the hand shaking when the shop keeper set himself on fire. The war in the Balkins was brutal and the relighting of a racial and religious wildfire. We saw what YOU did there as well , Chris.
We will have to wait and see where this "Islamist" govt. leads Tunisia. Certainly the pressure of Western attitudes and "moral differences" will create problems in the future. the effect on the everyday lives of Tunisian women will be the first changes to be felt, but remembering that Tunisia has a long history of culture, shaped by their French colonizers (not known for being prudes) will be helpful to those who fear Islamism in the short term. Monetary needs, for Western capital,will have an impact on Tunisian tourism for many years to come. Tunisians are perhaps THE most Western of all Arab states, , but sharing borders with Libya And Algeria will be a burden at best!
jcmarinut " We will have to wait and see where this "Islamist" govt. leads Tunisia. Certainly the pressure of Western attitudes and "moral differences" will create problems in the future. the effect on the everyday lives of Tunisian women will be the first changes to be felt"
Unfortunately, mixing western style tourism with Islam just doesn't work very well, and it should be interesting to see how this plays out. Personally, I'd save my 'tourist dollars' for climes where I wouldn't be concerned over religious clashes of culture.
Why would you give your money to a country that hates Americans? As to Warrior's comments, of course they were nice to you...they want your money.
Eventually Tunisia will be become a strict Islamic state. Its only a matter of time.
Or maybe they will actually show the world some Muslims governments can be normal, productive members of the world.
Turkey is doing fine, so will Tunisia and Egypt and even perhaps Libya eventually. Next in line is Syria.
Turkey is becoming more Islamic outside the big cities. More and more women in relative seclusion, wearing the hijab.
The general trend for Middle Eastern states that are liberated of despots, when left on their own, is to move towards Islamist governance. Egypt is a good example. American intervention MAY prevent this, and influence a more Democratic state, but the final verdict is not in on Iraq and a long ways away in Afghanistan. Gaza is a perfect example of free elections leading to Islamist rulers.
My concern would be whether the government effectively eliminated any extra-governmental morality police from accosting tourists or non-Muslims who are not following their restrictive beliefs - especially regarding women. I'd hate to spend money to sit on a beach and be assaulted by some guy just because I wasn't covered head to toe or accompanied by a male relative. They are going to have to do some work to get the message across that that is not going to happen.
I was recently in a moderate Islamist country, and it was exactly as this Tunisian leader said- they respected the fact that the tourists dressed as they always dress. That being said, common sense dictates. You can't wear a tube top and a mini-skirt to visit a mosque, but they don't expect burquas, either. and you can only get alcohol at "western" hotels or establishments, as alcohol is illegal for the citizens who live there- so they do break their own rules to accommodate tourists...
Tunisia hasn't had 'morality' police. That's Saudi Arabia. Woman received their emancipation when Tunisia gained their independence from France in 1953. It's actually illegal for women to wear veils there. They can cover their heads but not their faces.
The Tunisians have enjoyed many freedoms even under Ben Ali - and they'll have even more now.
If you go, you won't be disappointed. I wasn't when I was there on business in January.
Yes, it does look beautiful Chris-If I were single it might be worth the risk, and I guess I could get killed walking my doggie-good luck to you and have a great time if you go.
Hey, if you want to spend your whole life hiding in your home town like a scared little turtle hiding in his shell, that's your business. Have fun with never seeing anything beyond your front yard and local Wal-mart.
Wow. Sounding quite tough today. Who said I was afraid for anyone but my family? Oh, I almost forgot. Blow me.
lol, u mad
Not in the least sonny. Your spelling tells us your age&I.Q.
Say what you want about my age and intelligence; you're the one soliciting oral sex from a dude here.
I wasn't asking.
Anybody ever tell you you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, sweet cheeks?
There is no Mediterranean beach anywhere as nice as Siesta Key in Florida. Why would I spend the time and effort to go to some backward nowheresville "country" like Tunisia when I can just drive a couple hours and be on one of the best beaches in the world?
Well, for starters, Tunisia has a much richer history than Florida, if that sort of thing interests you. You can't go visit Roman and Carthaginian cities in Siesta Key. Might be able to get some floppy sun-hatted retiree bartender to mix you a mean margarita at a bar with a bunch of Southern tourists wearing bad sunburns and bad Hawaiian shirts; but some of us prefer the less plastic side of travel.
Siesta Key, FL? Haha, I get that the Florida economy sucks and I applaud your effort to boost tourism in Florida but let's not kid ourselves. Like anything in the world, if this leader can SHOW that tourist are welcomed, the people will come.
Europe is so 20th Century. Overpriced, and although there are many interesting and historical buildings, areas, experiences, it gets old (in my opinion). The Mediterranean/S America/Asia will become the "hot" tourist spots for the next 100 years.
Each have their problems. Europe is expensive, flights to Asia are prohibitively expensive, S. America has outrageously high crime, N. Africa has unstable governments, Sub-Saharan Africa has kidnapping and piracy. Caribbean/Mexican vacations to the all inclusives are not really Caribbean/Mexican vacations if you never venture off the resorts, and if you venture off the resorts, you face once again super high crime rates.
Sorry Chris, As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there are no bad Hawaiian shirts. Hawaiian shirts are perfect in asymmetrical balance, color and tone, and finally, texture and composition. They all say Aloha! as they announce their presents with authority. The beaches of N. Africa may be ok, the souks cool and filled with many different kinds of wares and the hotels and bars available to the tourists. But the Hawaii beaches are filled with wahines, white sand, blue water and good waves! So the question still remains, why would anyone in their right mind, ever go anywhere else. Aloha from Hawaii.
I would never go there, as I wear a bikini at the beach, be damned if I'll be covered head to foot and needing a male relative to be with me. That's not my idea of a vacation. However, the history part, the old cities, would be interesting, but there again, could I wear slacks and a blouse? Or would I have to be covered head to foot with their BS dress codes require?
Here, I just posted this part of the article for you again, because apparently you couldn't be bothered to read it the first time through.
This is TUNISIA, not Saudi Arabia. The country is 90% Muslim, but only 10% are practicing. There are very few women in Tunis that wear an abaya and headscarf. Wear bikinis all day long on the beach, they won't care.
When has any muslim leader, or country ever respected the taste and interests of non-muslims. Sorry, but Syria is heading toward the same corrupt, hate filled, illiterate state as every other muslim country. In fact is there a single successful muslim country? One that prides itself on education, quality of life, commerce, infra-structure, honesty in government? Of course not...not a single one...
Right on, SallyAnn. Let those here who think they know or pump for the Islamists blather on. Just look at the picture on the bottom. Are those women wearing hijabs and (most likely) floor-length nighties?
Yep.
Will their men leave you unmolested/watched/assaulted in a bikini?
Not worth the risk.
they'll probably still let women wear bikinis, but what they won't tell you is that the men and women will be segregated on different beaches.
Sorry Tunisia. Bin Laden claimed that CO2 from the United States was bad. It would be improper for me to produce any of this evil plant food by traveling to your country.
And Tunisians are responsible for bin Laden in just what way??
At least they're willing to make a number of concessions for the sake of certain local tourism spots along the Med. However, I still think I'd rather spend more $$$ and be on the EU side of the Med or even up in the Adriatic area vs any of the Northern Africa spots.
I've yet to see an Islamist country turn secular, and what starts out as moderate Islam usually ends up being extremist. Religion should not be the driving force of government. Period.
Your right they cannot handle real democracy, their democracy is not real, they presecute christians and we sit back and say well that is okay! 70-80% of the people in these countries hate Americans, when I are we going to stop believing they like us!
Why Tunisia? Delray Beach, Florida has white beaches, year round great weather, great resturants, clubs, bars, museums, tennis matches, . . . . And the ladies can wear their bikinis, tube tops and mini skirts, and the guys can enjoy it too.
They want money honey.
I am not inclined to go to a country and spend my money to help a government continue to repress it's people.
Well, that is positive. Tunisia has some pretty good wine in pretty two handled bottles - Sidi Said plus a number of other brands. It has some interesting sights - in the Oases in Tozeur after crossing desolate salt flats - the battlefield where the first American forces were defeated by Rommel in WWII, the ruins of Carthage and 800 miles of Mediterranean coastline with hotels of varying states of luxury. It is cheap and pleasant - perhaps not the world's best tourist spot - but one of the cheaper interesting and pleasant sites. When I was there several years ago, (before the revolution) people on the street reacted very positively when I said I was American.
When the Islamists were coming back from exile Tunisian women said they would meet them at the airport in bikinis to welcome them - I don't know if they did that. But it is positive that the extremists do not seem to be taking over in Tunisia. They are Muslims, but very European in dress - women wear jeans and Western clothes even while working in government offices. Hopefully it will remain a tolerant place. They can use the tourism and apparently don't want to adopt fanaticism. Tunisia is one Arab country that still has a Jewish community - much smaller than decades ago but still there. Good luck to them!
Forgot to mention the Roman and pre-Roman ruins. I went to the Souk (market) and everyone came up to me speakng English (though the main language is French). They I said loudly to my companion (just to try it out) Das ist sehr schoen! The hawkers came up to talk to me in German.
There are some con artists and the merchants will overcharge you if they can and they learned to drive from the Sicilians (i.e. terribly) but other than traffic, Tunisia is a fairly safe and fairly pleasant country. Sidi Bou Said is beautiful - having a cup of tea along the mediterranian and listening to Arabic music - a different experience than Florida, I guess.
By the way, women can wear bikinis at the beaches. Just before the revolution I went to a Tunisian swimming club - more like a Turkish bath - people were hanging around chatting - they had a big fountain. Men and women wore swimsuits (not biknis on this trip. The attendant politely told me to close my bathrobe when I exited the locker room to transit to the pool - so they thought a man shouldn't be barechested until he got next to the pool.
There are a lot of Russians and Germans in Tunsia because it is cheap and the beaches are beautiful - not the highest quality food and service but beautiful and interesting country. Most people speak French (the language of business) some speak English or other languages, and some of the uneducated locals may speak only the local version of Arabic - but most people you meet speak French. Some of the old fancy houses have been transformed into semi-fancy restaurants.
Money has ALWAYS trumped religion, on a national scale. An individual can resist, but not a nation.
Suck it tunisia!
Well, Tunisia was always one of the most gay-friendly Arab countries, so be my guest if that's what you're into. They'll still welcome you if you'll spend money.
With their closeness to Europe and natural attractions, they as well as the rest of the Maghrebs would be committing economic suicide if they decided to go the way of Iran rather than Turkey..
The west has had its own zealots and they did little other than trash the Name of God...as many Muslims are doing now...
Hopefully they will continue to act as wise, mature children of God...
We have 3 coastlines in the USA where our "westerness" is not a potential problem..This includes some of the world's most outstanding beaches. What a blessing!
I used live in Tripoli, Libya from 1962-1972 and at that time tourism was hot and the beaches were great, but had allot reefs. Tourism today would give Libya money to get into the main stream, with WiFi and all other electronics.
But the subject was Tunsia...strangely never got there (like Egypt so sad I know) but heard allot about their seashore hotels and viewscape at sunset are beautiful.
There is no place for us, USA, to say who should have the best beaches...But those were awesome natural-made beaches.
I would go back in a heart beat as long as it is safe to return as more than half of the guys I went to school with...planning a reunion.
just stay away from the guy in the camo jacket, you know, the jungle camo motif, although they are in the sahara, stay away from that guy and youll be fine. In the us its harder to distinguish the bad guy, cant say stay away from the guy in the hoodie, doesnt work so well. funny how americans are afraid to travel the world for fear of running into violence, when the us is most likely the most violent country in the world. when i was in arizona years back, a little boy with a european accent heard me talk he looked at me and said "american, bang bang" lol i couldnt laugh harder, but thats what the world thinks of us.
I guess the women who sunbathe there better put some sunblock50 on their burkas ..
Bonus,you can go someplace where your money is multiple times what they're used to seeing,and get gouged like you're at a western resort!
What is worrisome is a sudden about-face by the government or acting out by Islamic gangs for a vacation to turn out very, very bad.
Tourist couples, even married couples, have been attacked or arrested in Muslim countries for holding hands or kissing in public. And try being a gay male couple in one of the -stans!
Women can be attacked for showing what some random fundy thinks of as too much skin.
In Scandinavia Muslims commit virtually all the rapes as they hold women responsible for "looking immodest" and even though those men are only a fraction of the population.
Really, girls and boys, they don't think like we do.
Why would we want to be or care about a gay couple?
Amen Rachel...true and well stated..