LONDON: Britain is no longer advising against travel to most of Tunisia, including Tunis and major tourist destinations, the foreign office said.
A gunman killed 30 Britons in the Tunisian resort of Sousse in June 2015, prompting the government to advise Britons to make only essential travel to the North African country.
Tunisia’s tourist industry has been struggling since that attack on a beach in Sousse and another attack at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis also in 2015.
“This update reflects our latest assessment that the risk to British nationals in Tunisia has changed,” Alistair Burt, minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said.
“This is in part due to the security improvements that the Tunisian authorities and tourist industry have made since the tragic terrorist attacks in 2015, with support from the UK and international partners.”
Tunisia welcomed the decision and said it would give a fresh start to the sector which accounts for 8 percent of Tunisia’s gross domestic product, provides thousands of jobs and is a key source of foreign currency.
“It is a very important decision that opens new horizons for Tunisian tourism to come back again and message to the world that Tunisia is now safe,” said Tourism Minister Salma Loumi.
She added that the Tunisian authorities would continue efforts to strengthen the security of tourists, hotels, airports and everywhere in the country.
The British government cautioned there remained risks for British nationals, and said it continued to advise against travel to some areas including those near the Libyan border.
Tunisian officials says number of tourists traveling to Tunisia is expected to rise by about 30 percent in 2017 compared to 2016 to reach 6.5 million tourists driven by a better security situation and higher bookings from new markets such as Russia.
UK lifts advisory against travel to most of Tunisia
UK lifts advisory against travel to most of Tunisia
From round fruits to lucky charms: How Filipinos invite prosperous New Year
- Lights are lit, doors and windows open to allow good spirits in
- Sticky rice dishes are served to keep family sticking together
MANILA: With the dining table set with symbolic foods, a bit of noise and rituals to invite good luck, Filipinos are ready to welcome the New Year, carefully observing every tradition and superstition to bring prosperity.
Media noche or the midnight dinner on New Year’s Eve is central to the celebration. Besides traditional meats, there will be sticky rice dishes to keep the family sticking together, and pancit or long rice noodles to represent long life.
There should also be 13 round fruits prepared specifically for the occasion, with 12 representing each month of the year, and the 13th adding extra luck. Because they are round like coins, they are believed to invite abundance, wealth and prosperity.
“We cook bilo-bilo (sticky rice balls) with coconut milk and palitaw (sweet rice cakes). It’s something we simply grew up with,” said Cel Reyes from Mabini in Batangas province, south of Manila.
“It’s sticky, so it symbolizes togetherness, and it is also round. Anything that’s round is prepared also as a symbol of prosperity.”
In Malabon, a coastal city in the northern part of Metro Manila, Priam Nepomuceno’s 86-year-old mother-in-law sets unhulled rice on the table.
“Because of the gold color, it’s believed to bring luck and abundance,” he said. “Grapes are also hung on the door. They’re not meant to be eaten and are kept hanging for the whole year as a symbol of prosperity.”
Some people also jump when the clock strikes 12, believing it will help them grow taller.
In many households, all lights are lit before midnight, with doors and windows open to allow good spirits to enter, while noise from firecrackers and party horns keeps the bad ones at bay.
“By nature, Filipinos are superstitious. We believe in good luck, deities. We give in to faith and luck, and it’s tied to deep spirituality,” said Juanita Galang-Trinidad, an 80-year-old editor from Bulacan province north of Manila.
“We also put 12 coins in varying amounts in our pockets and wear polka dot clothing. Rice, cereal, and salt containers should be full.”
New Year’s celebrations, like Christmas, bring families together, but with extra traditions for good luck. Beyond the midnight feast and keeping round objects on the table and at hand, Filipinos try to pay off debts to avoid financial trouble in the coming year.
On New Year’s Eve, they also avoid serving chicken, as chickens are believed to scratch backward when they eat, symbolically scratching away good fortune.
“We hold on to our traditions despite these growing changes, modernity, in our environment,” Trinidad said.
“We still hold on to our traditions and customs because they identify us as a people, as Filipinos.”
