Tourists want to return to Tunisia

Late evening of January 18 the aircraft of Tunisian airline Nouvelair brought 101 passengers from Monastir to Moscow. Among them there were 78 Russian tourists that bought packages to Tunisia in the travel agencies.

Tunisian representation of St.Petersburg travel agency «Express-Tour» that organized this flight for their clients claims that not all Russians easily agreed to discontinue their vacation. They said that the disorders did not reach them, that everything was safe and quiet on the resorts. But touroperator insisted on departure explaining that airlines stop operating flights to Tunisia and later it would be very difficult to leave the country.

«Express-Tour» confirmed that tourists did not turn to their Tunisian representation for help. Tunisian airline Nouvelair Tunisie operates flights to Moscow every Thursday. Charter program is organized by St.Petersburg company «Express–Tour». The flight was rescheduled for Tuesday, January 18 because of the situation in Tunisia.

Touroperators believe that the situation in Tunisia and suspension of the flight program would not cause serious financial losses. If it was not winter, low season for Tunisia, the consequencies would be much more dramatic. Of course travel companies are forced to reimburse the tours to their clients, but there are no penalty charges from aircompanies or hotels.

The tourists are also rather quiet and understanding. Julia Tugolukova, commercial director of «Biblio Globus» company says that their clients prefer alternative tours and not cash reimbursement. They choose Cyprus, Thailand, Egypt, Israel instead of Tunisia. Other tourists patiently wait for the situation in Tunisia to change to the better. «Our tourists hope that the situation is getting normal, – said Alexander Orlovsky, general director of «Nouvel Trans» company.– Because Tunisia is very difficult to replace if we are talking about prices for example».