Latest news with #Tunisians
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
A gunman massacred tourists on a beach. Ten years later, they're coming back
On a hot June day in 2015, a man dressed in black walked along the beach outside the five-star Imperial Marhaba hotel in Sousse. It was almost noon, peak sunbathing time, and he was carrying a parasol. Nobody paid him much attention. Over the next 30 minutes, Seifeddine Rezgui rampaged with the Kalashnikov assault rifle that had been hidden in the parasol, shooting indiscriminately into crowds of tourists and anyone who crossed his path. By the time he was killed by Tunisian security forces, 23-year-old Rezgui had murdered 38 people and left another 39 wounded. Of the dead, 30 were British. It was the biggest loss of British life to terrorism since the 7/7 bombings in London in July 2005. For Tunisians and the tourism they rely on, it was devastating. 'The attack fully destroyed it as a destination. All the airlines pulled out, nobody wanted to go,' Nicholas Smith, Holidays Digital Director at Thomas Cook and eSky Group, tells Metro. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Before Sousse, tourism accounted for around 14% of Tunisia's GDP, employing almost half a million people from a population of 11 million. Confidence in the sector had been shaken three months before, when two Tunisian suicide attackers killed 22 tourists at the Bardo museum in the capital, Tunis. After the massacre in Sousse, a resort town where 90% of residents worked in tourism, directly or indirectly, it collapsed. Tour operators across the UK, Ireland and Europe suspended charters, spelling the end of Tunisia as a package holiday destination for years. After the Foreign Office advised against travel, hotels and restaurants that relied on footfall from foreigners were forced to close, and local heroes who formed human shields to save guests from Rezgui's bullets lost their jobs. The town, residents said, felt like it was dying. 'Everyone had a hard time,' says content creator Hamza Jabri, 33. 'Some started selling things on the street, others had to get help from their family or their neighbours. People had to find new ways to support themselves.' In 2014, the year before the attacks, 430,000 British tourists visited Tunisia. In 2017, there were 28,000. It was almost three years after Rezgui opened fire before travel operators cautiously returned. While the Tunisian government provided support payments and training to help the unemployed find new jobs, Covid dealt a double blow to a region already on its knees. 'It was a tough time, but people did their best to keep going,' Hamza says, resolutely. And today, against the odds, the future looks bright. Flights have resumed, and budget behemoths like easyJet are luring budget-conscious travellers with attractively priced packages. Luxury is accessible, with five-star hotels offering rooms for a fraction of the price you'd pay in Greece or Turkey. In 2024, Tunisia welcomed 10.25 million visitors; put in context, Morocco saw 17 million and Egypt 15.7 million. Like it does for dozens of countries, the Foreign Office still advises against travel to parts of Tunisia (mostly near the border with Libya). However, British officials say the country has made huge progress in counter-terrorism since the 2015 attacks, and Nicholas has seen proof in holiday spots such as Djerba, Sousse and Port El Kantaoui. 'The tourism board has done a lot to repair its image,' he says. 'They've spent a lot of money to make guests feel safe.' More Trending Most of that investment has been on security. But do people want to holiday in a place swarming with armed security and gendarmerie on jet skis patrolling the shore? 'Look, there's been a push for visible security, and there is some, but it's subtle,' says Smith. 'You can still get out and about, you're not locked up in a resort.' Tunisia clocked a record start to 2025, with a surge in year-on-year visitors from January to April, and Tunisians are thrilled to see them returning. 'Tourism is not just coming back, it's evolving,' says Hamza. 'I see more people returning every year, and now they're looking for authentic experiences, not just beach holidays.' MORE: 'Neo-nazi' teen wanted to go on 'terrorist rampage inspired by Jo Cox murder' MORE: Sleeper cells are lurking in the UK — experts reveal how worried we should be MORE: Is it safe to travel to Egypt? Latest Foreign Office tourist advice after Iran strikes US airbase
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has high hopes for new recruit Liam Delap
Delap scored his first goal since his £30million move from Ipswich as Chelsea beat Esperance Tunis 3-0 in Philadelphia to reach the last 16 of the Club World Cup. It was the striker's second start in succession, having made his debut as a substitute in their opening Group D against Los Angeles FC. With fellow forward Nicolas Jackson still suspended for Saturday's clash with Benfica in the second round, the 22-year-old has a chance to cement his place in the side. Maresca told reporters: 'We know Liam is going to score goals for us, we don't have any doubts about that. 'Against Flamengo he had three clear chances to score goals, so that is a good feeling because it means he is there, he is in the right position and doing well. 'Unfortunately, he didn't score against Flamengo, but he scored here. 'We expect the process to be quite quick with Liam because we know him and he knows us in the way we want to play.' Chelsea took command against the Tunisians with a quickfire double in first-half stoppage time. Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a fine header and Delap followed up moments later by beating two challenges and rolling the ball past statuesque goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said. Both goals were created by the impressive Enzo Fernandez. Tyrique George scored a third in time added on at the end of the game with another shot Ben Said should have saved. The result meant the Blues finished second in Group D behind Flamengo. They will now head to Charlotte at the weekend to face Benfica, who beat one of the tournament favourites in Bayern Munich to top Group C. 'We know Benfica is a top club, with a top manager, and top players,' who made eight changes against Esperance largely due to the draining effects of playing and training in the heat. 'It's going to be tough but from 32 we are now into the round of 16 and our next target is go into the quarter-finals.' The temperature in Philadelphia was 33C despite the game kicking off at 9pm local time. Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo and Reece James were among the players benched. Maresca said: 'It's impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions means it's not possible for them to play every game. 'The ones that played were good and we've given some rest to many players. It's important to recover the energy and try to win the next game.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has high hopes for new recruit Liam Delap
Delap scored his first goal since his £30million move from Ipswich as Chelsea beat Esperance Tunis 3-0 in Philadelphia to reach the last 16 of the Club World Cup. It was the striker's second start in succession, having made his debut as a substitute in their opening Group D against Los Angeles FC. Enzo Maresca has been pleased with Liam Delap's start at Chelsea (Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA) With fellow forward Nicolas Jackson still suspended for Saturday's clash with Benfica in the second round, the 22-year-old has a chance to cement his place in the side. Maresca told reporters: 'We know Liam is going to score goals for us, we don't have any doubts about that. 'Against Flamengo he had three clear chances to score goals, so that is a good feeling because it means he is there, he is in the right position and doing well. 'Unfortunately, he didn't score against Flamengo, but he scored here. 'We expect the process to be quite quick with Liam because we know him and he knows us in the way we want to play.' Chelsea took command against the Tunisians with a quickfire double in first-half stoppage time. Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a fine header and Delap followed up moments later by beating two challenges and rolling the ball past statuesque goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said. Both goals were created by the impressive Enzo Fernandez. Tyrique George scored a third in time added on at the end of the game with another shot Ben Said should have saved. The result meant the Blues finished second in Group D behind Flamengo. They will now head to Charlotte at the weekend to face Benfica, who beat one of the tournament favourites in Bayern Munich to top Group C. 'We know Benfica is a top club, with a top manager, and top players,' who made eight changes against Esperance largely due to the draining effects of playing and training in the heat. 'It's going to be tough but from 32 we are now into the round of 16 and our next target is go into the quarter-finals.' Cole Palmer was among the players not to feature against Esperance Tunis (Andrew Matthews/PA) The temperature in Philadelphia was 33C despite the game kicking off at 9pm local time. Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo and Reece James were among the players benched. Maresca said: 'It's impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions means it's not possible for them to play every game. 'The ones that played were good and we've given some rest to many players. It's important to recover the energy and try to win the next game.'
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has high hopes for new recruit Liam Delap
Delap scored his first goal since his £30million move from Ipswich as Chelsea beat Esperance Tunis 3-0 in Philadelphia to reach the last 16 of the Club World Cup. It was the striker's second start in succession, having made his debut as a substitute in their opening Group D against Los Angeles FC. Enzo Maresca has been pleased with Liam Delap's start at Chelsea (Rafal Oleksiewicz/PA) With fellow forward Nicolas Jackson still suspended for Saturday's clash with Benfica in the second round, the 22-year-old has a chance to cement his place in the side. Maresca told reporters: 'We know Liam is going to score goals for us, we don't have any doubts about that. 'Against Flamengo he had three clear chances to score goals, so that is a good feeling because it means he is there, he is in the right position and doing well. 'Unfortunately, he didn't score against Flamengo, but he scored here. 'We expect the process to be quite quick with Liam because we know him and he knows us in the way we want to play.' Chelsea took command against the Tunisians with a quickfire double in first-half stoppage time. Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a fine header and Delap followed up moments later by beating two challenges and rolling the ball past statuesque goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said. Both goals were created by the impressive Enzo Fernandez. Tyrique George scored a third in time added on at the end of the game with another shot Ben Said should have saved. The result meant the Blues finished second in Group D behind Flamengo. They will now head to Charlotte at the weekend to face Benfica, who beat one of the tournament favourites in Bayern Munich to top Group C. 'We know Benfica is a top club, with a top manager, and top players,' who made eight changes against Esperance largely due to the draining effects of playing and training in the heat. 'It's going to be tough but from 32 we are now into the round of 16 and our next target is go into the quarter-finals.' Cole Palmer was among the players not to feature against Esperance Tunis (Andrew Matthews/PA) The temperature in Philadelphia was 33C despite the game kicking off at 9pm local time. Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo and Reece James were among the players benched. Maresca said: 'It's impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions means it's not possible for them to play every game. 'The ones that played were good and we've given some rest to many players. It's important to recover the energy and try to win the next game.'
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has high hopes for new recruit Liam Delap
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has no doubt Liam Delap is going to be a huge success at the club. Delap scored his first goal since his £30million move from Ipswich as Chelsea beat Esperance Tunis 3-0 in Philadelphia to reach the last 16 of the Club World Cup. It was the striker's second start in succession, having made his debut as a substitute in their opening Group D against Los Angeles FC. With fellow forward Nicolas Jackson still suspended for Saturday's clash with Benfica in the second round, the 22-year-old has a chance to cement his place in the side. Maresca told reporters: 'We know Liam is going to score goals for us, we don't have any doubts about that. 'Against Flamengo he had three clear chances to score goals, so that is a good feeling because it means he is there, he is in the right position and doing well. 'Unfortunately, he didn't score against Flamengo, but he scored here. 'We expect the process to be quite quick with Liam because we know him and he knows us in the way we want to play.' Chelsea took command against the Tunisians with a quickfire double in first-half stoppage time. Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a fine header and Delap followed up moments later by beating two challenges and rolling the ball past statuesque goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said. Both goals were created by the impressive Enzo Fernandez. Tyrique George scored a third in time added on at the end of the game with another shot Ben Said should have saved. The result meant the Blues finished second in Group D behind Flamengo. They will now head to Charlotte at the weekend to face Benfica, who beat one of the tournament favourites in Bayern Munich to top Group C. 'We know Benfica is a top club, with a top manager, and top players,' who made eight changes against Esperance largely due to the draining effects of playing and training in the heat. 'It's going to be tough but from 32 we are now into the round of 16 and our next target is go into the quarter-finals.' The temperature in Philadelphia was 33C despite the game kicking off at 9pm local time. Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo and Reece James were among the players benched. Maresca said: 'It's impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions means it's not possible for them to play every game. 'The ones that played were good and we've given some rest to many players. It's important to recover the energy and try to win the next game.'
