Talking Point: Tunisia (April 2, 2016)

Talking Points – Tunisia

Copyright © 2016 – Travel Leaders Group LLC. All rights reserved.

The following Talking Points can be used in conversations with the media and clients when

discussing travel to Tunisia. (Updated April 2, 2016)

1. Due to multiple terror attacks in Tunisia since March 2015, the U.S. State Department

has issued a Travel Warning specifically advising Americans to avoid travel to certain

parts of the country.

2. Safety is our top priority for our clients.

3. We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel

plans.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material and statistics to help further

illustrate each talking point.

1. Due to multiple terror attacks in Tunisia since March 2015, the U.S. State Department

has issued a Travel Warning specifically advising Americans to avoid travel to certain

parts of the country.

 On April 1, 2016, the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning for Tunisia.

While not a blanket Travel Warning to avoid all travel to the country, it specifically “warns

U.S. citizens to avoid travel to southeastern Tunisia along the Libyan border as well as

the mountainous areas in the country’s west due to the threat of terrorism.” The Travel

Warning advises, “For your safety:

o “Avoid travel to southeastern Tunisia along the Libyan border as well as the

mountainous areas in the country’s west.”

o “Exercise caution in all parts of Tunisia when frequenting public venues,

especially those heavily frequented by tourists.”

o “Avoid political gatherings, rallies, large crowds and demonstrations, as even

demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can be unpredictable.”

o “Be alert to the possibility of kidnapping.”

o “Monitor local events and take appropriate steps to bolster personal security.”

o “Remain alert to local security developments, report suspicious activity to the

local police, and heed directions given by uniformed security officials.”

o “Carry a copy of your passport and a cell phone or other means of

communication that works in Tunisia.”

o Travelers contemplating trips to the interior of the Tunisia should assess local

conditions and routes when making travel plans. In particular, all travel south of

the designated military zone in the south must be coordinated in advance with

Tunisian authorities. The Tunisian National Guard encourages persons traveling

into the desert to register their travel beforehand. For details on how and where

to register, please visit the U.S. Embassy’s desert travel page. No special

authorization is required to travel to the desert as far south as Remada. The

desert south of Remada is designated as a military zone by the Government of

Tunisia. If travelers wish to enter the military zone, for example to travel to

Borma, a special authorization is required. Please visit the U.S. Embassy’s

desert travel page.

 Since March 2015, Tunisia has suffered multiple terrorist attacks targeting popular tourist

sites as well as Tunisian government and security forces:

o On March 18, 2015, a terrorist attack targeted tourists at Tunis’ Bardo Museum.

o On June 26, 2015, two beach hotels near Sousse were attacked.

o On November 24, 2015, a suicide bomber struck a bus carrying Tunisian

Presidential Guard personnel on Avenue Mohammed V in central Tunis, killing

12 security personnel. ISIL claimed responsibility for these attacks. The Tunisian

government continues security force operations against Ansar al-Sharia in

Tunisia (AAS-T), ISIL, and al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

o On March 7 attack by ISIL-affiliated militants in the southeastern border town of

Ben Guerdane resulted in the deaths of 12 Tunisian security officials and

civilians. Isolated groups of militants continue to operate in the mountains of

Western Tunisia, including Jebel Chaambi, Sammama, and Selloum.

 Tunisia is currently under a “State of Emergency.”

o “Government security forces, including the army, police, and National Guard, are

visibly present throughout Tunisia,” according to the State Department.

o “Under the state of emergency, the Ministry of Interior is granted broad powers

and may ban rallies and demonstrations. The Minister of Interior as well as local

governors have the prerogative to put any individual under house arrest if

considered a threat to national and public security, and to search houses and

conduct other activities without requiring prior judicial authorization,” notes the

State Department.

o “Security personnel, including plain clothes officials, may at times place foreign

visitors under surveillance,” notes the State Department.

o “It is against Tunisian law to photograph government offices and other security

facilities,” cautions the State Department.

 The United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) “advise against all but

essential travel to … Tunisia.”

o The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to

the Chaambi Mountain National Park area; the Tunisia-Algeria border crossing

points at Ghardimaou, Hazoua and Sakiet Sidi Youssef; the militarized zone

south of, but not including, the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba; within 5km of the

Libya border area from north of Dhehiba up to but not including the Ras Ajdir

border crossing. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of

Tunisia.”

o “The threat from terrorism in Tunisia is high. Further attacks remain highly likely,

including against foreigners. Security forces remain on a high state of alert in

Tunis and other locations. You should be vigilant, avoid crowded places and

follow the advice of the Tunisian security authorities and your travel company, if

you have one. See Terrorism”

o “Since the terrorist attack in Sousse in June 2015, 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.”

o “On balance, we do not believe the mitigation measures in place provide

adequate protection for British tourists in Tunisia at the present time.”

• The Government of Canada advises visitors to “Exercise a high degree of caution. There

is no nationwide advisory in effect for Tunisia. However, you should exercise a high

degree of caution due to the risk of civil unrest and the heightened threat of terrorism in

the region.”

2. Safety is our top priority for our clients.

 We highly recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and

register their international travel plans at https://step.state.gov/step. By entering

information into the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), the Department of

State can better assist travelers in an emergency.

 While no one can say with certainty that any destination is 100% safe, we strongly

encourage our clients to use care and common sense – no matter where they travel – to

maximize their safety and security. For example:

o Leave your itinerary, and passport data page, with a friend or family member

back home so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.

o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they

could become dangerous.

o Remain alert to their surroundings at all times.

o Avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and

a foreigner could become a target of harassment. If caught unexpectedly near a

demonstration, obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as

possible.

o Ask tour guides and hotel officials about any planned demonstrations in the

locations they plan to visit.

o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other

valuable items. Also, do not leave luggage unattended in public areas and do not

accept packages from strangers.

o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is

capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.

o Check your medical insurance coverage to make sure it applies overseas. If it

doesn’t, consider buying travel insurance that covers overseas medical attention

and medical evacuation.

 The U.S. State Department also offers a helpful Traveler’s Checklist that provides

additional travel tips.

 Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 888-407-4747 toll-free

in the United States and Canada or 202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers

are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, Eastern Time (except

U.S. federal holidays).

3. We provide the facts so our clients can make informed decisions about their travel

plans.

 We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website for travel alerts as well as the

more severe travel warnings for all destinations, including those that are most popular

with our clients.

 Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may

be planning to travel there so they can determine for themselves if they still wish to

travel.

 Also, should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination where a client is

currently located; we try to immediately contact the client to check on their well-being

and work to assist them if they require alternate travel arrangements.