Reed Travel Features
NEW YORK -- Tunisia is enjoying a burst of celebrity from the
Oscar-winning movie the "The English Patient," much of which was
filmed in the North African country. But in the travel industry as
well as in Hollywood, a supporting role in a popular film does not
necessarily translate into instant stardom.
U.S. tour operators familiar with the market say Tunisia still
remains high on the list of countries that have yet to be
discovered by U.S. tourists. Although more U.S. consumers might be
learning about the many attractions of this country -- the recent
release of "The English Patient" in video may put it in the
spotlight again -- Tunisia remains off the beaten track.
Tourism growth might have been hampered by lack of direct
transatlantic airline service. The country also does not have a
tourist office in the U.S., although its embassy in Washington will
provide information if requested.
Jerry Sorkin, owner of Wayne, Pa.-based Tunis USA, one of the
few U.S. operators specializing in Tunisia, said that even with the
exposure from the movie, "It definitely is the sophisticated
traveler" who chooses to go to Tunisia from the U.S. "The one
reason they've chosen it is that they are looking for a place where
no one has gone," he added.
Although he credited the huge success of "The English Patient"
for some increased awareness, Sorkin points out that in the movie
Tunisia was actually a stand-in for Egypt --so the audience had to
wait for the credits to learn where the spectacular desert settings
really were located.
Just because it is an obscure destination for Americans doesn't
mean Tunisia doesn't have a thriving tourist industry. Hordes of
sun-seeking Europeans arrive there every year. They are there for
the country's famous beaches -- 700 miles of sandy coast in all --
and a year-round mild climate.
The country's appeal, though, is that it is more than just a
sun-seekers' mecca. It has many unique historical attractions as
well. Sorkin's Tunis USA arranges itineraries that focus on
Tunisia's rich history, spanning many centuries and civilizations:
Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, early Christian, Vandal,
Byzantine, Arabic, Norman, Spanish, Turkish and most recently, the
French who ruled there from 1881 to 1956. For the culturally minded
visitor, the capital city of Tunis and the ruins of Carthage and
Dougga are a draw as are the country's southern desert oases.
To cater to the seasoned client, Amelia Tours, a "boutique"
operator specializing in Malta, Sicily and Cyprus as well as
Tunisia, offers a Taste of Tunisia package for what it calls
"culinary connoisseurs." The tour combines visits with Tunisian
food producers and chefs, with visits to cultural sites as well as
the show-stopping scenes of "The English Patient" fame.
For travelers who want a little rest and relaxation along with
the requisite ruins -- Hammamet, which is convenient to Tunis, is a
popular coastal resort.
Despite the lack of direct air connections between the U.S. and
Tunisia, many European airlines serve Tunis, including Alitalia,
Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Sabena, Swissair and Tunis Air, the
national flag carrier. Visitors also can reach Tunisia by ferry
from Marseilles or from Sicily.
For information, call the Embassy of Tunisia at (202) 466-2546;
fax (202) 466-2553.