Tunisia terrorist attack: what should travellers do?
The horrific terrorist attack on Sousse beach in Tunisia has killed at least 60 people - including at least 30 Britons, and shocked the world. Everyone's thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones in a senseless and barbaric act, and those who are having to come to terms with what they experienced on Friday.
In this environment, naturally the tourists desperately trying to make their way home remain the travel industry's priority. However, with many thousands of people set to leave the UK for Tunisia in the next few weeks, there is also the question of what you should do if you are among them.
Can you cancel?
Many people understandably want to cancel their trip to Tunisia, especially given that the Foreign Office has released a statement warning: "Further terrorist attacks in Tunisia, including in tourist resorts, are possible, including by individuals who are unknown to the authorities and whose actions are inspired by terrorist groups via social media. You should be especially vigilant at this time and follow the advice of Tunisian security authorities and your tour operator."
Unfortunately, there is no automatic right to cancel or change your holiday. The rule that the tour operators and airlines follow is that if the Foreign Office advises against travel to a country, they have to offer free refunds or alternatives. However, the Foreign Office hasn't done this.
It means that if you cancel your break, you are not necessarily entitled to a refund. Likewise, travel insurance will not cover cancellations on the grounds of security concerns - unless the Foreign Office changes its advice.
Travel companies step in
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Fortunately, some companies are doing more than the bare minimum for their customers. Thomson and First Choice sent extra planes to Tunisia to repatriate any travellers who wanted to return home. They have also cancelled all holidays to Tunisia for the coming week. Holidaymakers will get a refund or the chance to book an alternative break. Jet2 and Jet2 holidays also cancelled all holidays to Tunisia up to and including 5 July.
If your travel is not cancelled automatically, you may be given the chance to cancel free of charge, because easyJet, Thomas Cook and Jet2 are giving people who are about to travel the chance to cancel or change their bookings. easyJet is offering anyone flying in the next 14 days the chance to transfer for free to any other date and route, or take a flight voucher.
At the moment, Thomas Cook is letting people with flights up to and including 4 July cancel or amend free of charge, and those traveling at any other time in July will be able to make changes without charge. However, if you are flying there later in the summer, you have no right to cancel or change your booking. There has been some anger over this decision - especially as German travellers flying with the same company are having trips refunded for travel until the middle of September.
Monarch and Cosmos customers travelling within the next seven days can change their flight dates and/or destination.
The travel companies are asking people who are due to travel imminently to get in touch. For those with plans to travel in the next few weeks, they are asking people to wait before contacting them, because the phone lines are already very busy, and they want people with flights in the next few days to have the chance of getting through.
Abta said in a statement: "Many of our Members who have operations in Tunisia are offering customers the option to amend or cancel their bookings. Customers due to travel out in the next two days are advised to contact their tour operator for their options. Those due to travel after this are advised to wait for further information as phone lines are likely to be very busy."
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