Nordic countries lift travel restrictions against Tunisia

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Denmark, Iceland and Norway on Wednesday lifted travel restrictions against Tunisia, according to the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sweden and Finland took similar decisions six months ago.

Several European countries imposed travel bans on the North African country following terror attacks first in March 2015 on the Bardo Museum in the capital city of Tunis, followed by one of the beaches in the eastern coastal province of Sousse in June the same year. Those attacks killed 62 people, most of whom were tourists.

Flowers are seen on bloodstains in front of the National Bardo Museum in Tunis, March 19, 2015 during a demonstration in solidarity with the victims of an attack on the museum the previous day. /VCG Photo

Tunisia has repeatedly called for lifting of such restrictions, citing the improved security situation in the country, according to the Tunis Afrique Presse news agency.

Analysts believe that the eased restrictions will boost the tourism industry of Tunisia, which contributes to 8 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

Tourists walk on the Avenue Habib Bourguiba, Tunis. /VCG Photo‍

According to the Tunisian National Tourist Office, the country has seen 2.2 million foreign tourists arriving on its shores in the first half of 2017, up about 30 percent compared to the same period last year.

Among those tourists 433,000 are from Europe, an increase of 23 percent year on year that shows a gradual return of European visitors to the north African country.

(Source: Xinhua)

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