After Tunisia attack, sun-seekers switch to Spain, Bulgaria and Greece
June 26 attack in which 38 people were killed by an Islamist gunman at a beach hotel added to security fears raised after a massacre at the Bardo museum in March, when two gunmen opened fire on tourists.
Fearing for their safety in Tunisia after a gunman killed dozens of tourists, sun-seeking Europeans are switching to destinations such as Spain, Bulgaria or even Greece for holidays this year.
Tunisia's tourism industry had been recovering after the Arab Spring unrest, and had become a popular lower-cost beach holiday spot for Europeans. Last year, 2.8 million travelled there, rebounding back towards the 3.8 million level seen in 2010 before the uprising, according to official statistics.
But the June 26 attack in which 38 people were killed by an Islamist gunman at a beach hotel - mostly Britons - added to security fears raised after a massacre at the Bardo museum in March, when two gunmen opened fire on tourists.
Now many tourists who had planned or booked Tunisian trips are looking elsewhere.
Long-haul destinations are unlikely to pick up tourists originally destined for Tunisia, said travel analyst Angelo Rossini from market research firm Euromonitor. Destinations like the Maldives, the Caribbean and Mexico are typically more pricey and target a different customer segment.
Instead the biggest beneficiary is expected to be Spain, Rossini added. Spain targets a similar type of tourist to Tunisia - those seeking a value-for-money all-inclusive holiday.