The provocative images of 7/7 bombings and 9/11 it's hoped will prevent a Tunisia tourism boycott in wake of terror attack

  • A 'would you stop visiting' campaign was launched by a firm in Tunisia
  • It showed images of terror attacks in Western capitals such as 9/11 
  • It is urging tourists to not give up on Tunisia following the massacre
  • 36 people were murdered in Sousse last month, including 30 Britons  

By Becky Pemberton For Mailonline

Published: 06:39 EST, 6 July 2015 | Updated: 10:35 EST, 6 July 2015

These are the vivid images one Tunisian marketing expert hopes will persuade tourists to carry on visiting his country.

The 'would you stop visiting' advertising project includes graphic images of New York's 9/11 attack, the 7/7 London bombings and a 'Je suis Charlie' poster designed after the massacre at Charlie Hebdo's office in Paris, along with the caption 'Support Tunisia - Land of Peace.' 

The campaign, sparked from the attack in Sousse over a week ago which saw an Islamist gunman kill 39 people, has received both praise and criticism. 

Scroll down for video  

Would you boycott London? Controversialist campaign urges tourists to not boycott Tunisia after the attacks

Would you boycott London? Controversialist campaign urges tourists to not boycott Tunisia after the attacks

The creator of the campaign, Selim Ben Hadj Yahia, who works for PR firm Ramdam.in, reportedly said he posted the images on Facebook in the hope they spoke to 'Tunisia's friends around the world' in 'the shock and sadness' of the Sousse attack.

Many of the comments on the post were in support of Yahia's idea, but others say say it is unfair to group the attacks together and they are not comparable as the Tunisian shootings were aimed at tourists.

Facebook user Amin Khechine said: ‘This is a beautiful idea of communication it is partly a good intention.

'But when we have tourists who are specially targeted and a police who clearly is not yet in ability to defend them properly in the light of all their shortcomings, such a campaign encouraging tourists to continue to come, seems to me still premature.’

Lilia Achouri agreed commenting on the post: ‘The problem is that tourists are covered in Tunisia which is not the case elsewhere.’

However Emira Ammar said on the Facebook post: ‘I agree with the concept which I hope internet users will react in a positive way and it will create a good buzz.’

Med Amine Torkhani also supported Yahia's concept saying: ‘Very good initiative.’

The campaign was created by Selim Ben Hadj Yahia at a Tunisian communications firm and includes imagery from other attacks on Western capitals, which still see a high rate of tourism despite attacks 

The campaign was created by Selim Ben Hadj Yahia at a Tunisian communications firm and includes imagery from other attacks on Western capitals, which still see a high rate of tourism despite attacks 

The tourism industry had been recovering after the Arab Spring unrest, and Tunisia had become a popular lower-cost beach holiday spot for Europeans.

Last year, 2.8 million travelled there, edging closer towards the 3.8 million level seen in 2010 before the uprising, according to statistics.

Even though no official UK travel warning for the resorts has been issued, travel companies including Thomson and First Choice have flown back almost 6,000 tourists from Tunisia on 40 flights over last week.

The campaign included imagery of the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, which left 12 dead 

The campaign included imagery of the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris, which left 12 dead 

They have cancelled all holidays to Tunisia until July 9 and are offering the opportunity to change holidays free of charge or full refunds for those wishing to cancel.

For those who have holidays booked to Tunisia later this summer, the companies have waived fees to change, and are offering discounts on an extra 15 flights until the end of October to destinations in Spain, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Greece.

Industry experts have said Westerners staying away from Tunisia for security reasons may be unwilling to switch to countries such as Turkey, which borders war-torn Syria, and Egypt, where there has been social and political unrest in recent years. 

The 'would you stop visiting campaign' came after shooting in Sousse at the five-star Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba. Since the attack travel companies have flown thousands back, and have cancelled or rescheduled trips

The 'would you stop visiting campaign' came after shooting in Sousse at the five-star Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba. Since the attack travel companies have flown thousands back, and have cancelled or rescheduled trips

 

 

 

 

Comments (33)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now