dont let it put you off, it could happen wherever you go, countries like Tunisia rely on tourism and also the local comunities, being in Tourism myself, its the last thing they need, Tunisia is also very security concious. Not saying it would not happen, but you could be in manchester at the wrong place and time

I have always considered Tunisia one of the safest Moslem countries but it is in Al-Qaeda's interest to stir up fear everywhere. In my opinion you are as safe, or even safer, in Tunisia than you are in London, Manchester, Birmingham or anywhere in the UK or in Europe for that matter. It would be unrealistic to say that it could never happen but we can't let these threats rule our life. I go out there twice a year and have never felt fearful so will continue to do so.

I have to agree with the others on this one. The abduction has been on another site that I use for a week now, actually happened about 2 weeks ago as the Austrians were booked to return home on a ferry on the 29th Feb.
It is a very unfortunate incident and I realy feel for the couple, they were however doing what we do, as a family, travelling in the desert in a Land Rover, presumably alone. I only point this out as they were not "wisked away" from a street in Tunis or Sousse, etc.
I have to say though, it will make me consider my plan for our trip in April, we are back-packing around the desert areas, I might just stay a little closer to civilisation than originally planed.
Below is a link to the story:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-advisories-safety-security-road/missing-4wd-couple-in-tunisia-33542

There's no proof as yet that this actually has anything to do with Al-Qaeda. The couple went missing 2 weeks ago and only now is a claim surfacing that Al-Qaeda kidnapped them. Al-Qaeda - or people claiming to speak for Al-Qaeda - has a record of claiming responsiblity for events that later turned out to have nothing to do with them. Of course it pays for anybody to be cautious if planning to go off road in Tunisia (or anywhere else for that matter) but it wouldn't surprise me if we later discover that this couple have simply had an accident or even simply changed their minds about their travel plans and that this is an opportunistic 'claim' in order to foster fear amongst European tourists. We only have Al-Qaeda's word that they abducted them - and that's not saying much for a basically untrustworthy outfit.

SM

I don't know what to say to that SMa.
Irresponsible travellers, going to the desert and not thinking to tell friends and relatives of a change of plans???
Let's "wind up" all the various extremists with a few insults such as untrustworthy???
Or, let's not take it too seriously until it involves far more than just two people, that's a sort of Amercian attitude, isn't it???

Of course I may have read it wrong!

I have been to Tunisia in 2007.Travelled with 2 children one aged 8 and the other aged 12 and have never ever felt unsafe... Ps we come from Belfast..............................................

Of course I may have read it wrong!

Yes, you have - or perhaps I didn't express it very well. My point was that I saw no reason for the average tourist to Tunisia to be panicked by this. Yes, the couple are missing and that is tragic for their friends and family but there is no proof that they were abducted by Al-Qaeda or anybody else. A claim by Al-Qaeda a fortnight after they were reported missing isn't proof. And I for one can't work out why, if they did abduct them, they waited for a fortnight to announce it. On the basis of their past record I'd place my money on it being because they've only just heard that the couple are missing and not because they actually have any knowledge of what happened to them.

And, yes, people do change their plans and not tell anybody - I've been closely involved with rescue organisations over the years and people who do exactly that are the bane of their lives. Luckily, in the UK they usually surface quite quickly once they realise the hullaballoo they have caused but Tunisia, as an off-road traveller yourself will know, simply doesn't have the same infrastructure and the odds on them sitting in the pub having a pint and watching a news bulletin telling them that there is a big search underway for them are much longer. I also, know that accidents can befall people in remote locations and even in the UK it can be weeks or months before their bodies are found if they've strayed a long way from where people expect to find them.

I do think their disappearance is serious and needs to be taken seriously - I just don't think that we should take Al-Qaeda's claim at face value that's all and this wouldn't deter me from visiting Tunisia again, just as it won't from the sound of it stop you from taking your trip, even if you do modify your plans.

SM

I've just seen another report that suggests these people may have ventured across the border into Algeria, from where they were supposedly abducted.
I accept that in the UK people venture into the unknown extremes of mountains, rivers, caves, and of course the sea, as do Tunisians into the desert in their own country. Normally though, if you've travelled to Tunisia from any European country with a trip prepared Land Rover, chances are you'll take the dangers a little more seriously and have done some research into the correct procedures to follow.

I accept what you say that most people thinking about a trip such as this would take the dangers more seriously and have done some more research but if they really did cross the border into Algeria, intentionally or otherwise, then that was always going to put them at greater risk and they have acted contrary to current FCO advice for UK nationals. I cannot comment on what advice is being given by the comparable Austrian government dept but the FCO has been very clear for some years about the dangers of crossing into either Libya or Algeria via the open desert borders with Tunisia and I would be very surprised if the Austrian government advises its nationals differently.

Algeria is currently a very much more risky destination for foreign tourists than Tunisia and there is a track record of tourist groups being abducted in desert locations. The FCO has for some time recommended that UK nationals do not travel to or stray near the border areas of Tunisia close to Libya and Algeria and continues to so. This incident confirms that that advice is well grounded and should be heeded but it also confirms the view that the Tunisian coastal strip is as safe as anywhere in Europe for foreign visitors.

SM

I have to agree with the others on this one. The abduction has been on another site that I use for a week now, actually happened about 2 weeks ago as the Austrians were booked to return home on a ferry on the 29th Feb.

What I was saying here was that I agree with other comments that this was an isolated incident and that people should not be too concerned when going to the tourists resorts of Tunisia.

It is a very unfortunate incident and I realy feel for the couple, they were however doing what we do, as a family, travelling in the desert in a Land Rover, presumably alone. I only point this out as they were not "wisked away" from a street in Tunis or Sousse, etc.

...And here, that the people were doing something a little more extreme than going on a package holiday and that they were not abducted from the streets in the main towns normally visited by the majority of English tourists.

I wasn't really looking for a discussion on the right's and wrong's of desert travel.
The latest news - http://africa.reuters.com/country/DZ/news/usnL15532660.html
I hope that we can put this one to bed now, and maybe pray for their safe return.
K

Thanks for the link Kevin. There has hardly been any reference to this in the British news. I also pray for their safe release.

I wasn't really looking for a discussion on the right's and wrong's of desert travel.
The latest news - http://africa.reuters.com/country/DZ/ne ... 32660.html
I hope that we can put this one to bed now, and maybe pray for their safe return.

Fine by me Kevin - I wasn't the one who sent the sarcastic response to a post that was simply making the same point that this incident had little bearing on the safety of the average tourist to Tunisia. And I too am hoping for a happy outcome.

SM

A further link for anyone truly interested, it is a German site but there is an English translation of the demands:
http://www.desert-info.ch/desert-info-forum/viewtopic.php?t=3648

According to Reuters the deadline of midnight Sunday has been extended, and the abductors have dropped the demand for release of prisioners, they now just want money, which it appears may be a possible resolve to the situation.

My fingers are well and truly crossed.