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Tunisian terror attacks cost travel operator TUI £32m

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By Jennifer Faull, Deputy Editor

August 13, 2015 | 2 min read

Travel operator TUI has said that the terrorist attacks in Tunisia earlier this year will impact earnings by as much as £32m.

Tunisia had represented three per cent of the company’s annual tour operator programmes.

However, since the attack at a hotel in Sousse – during which a gunman opened fire on a beach, killing 38 people (33 were TUI customers) – the travel company has cancelled all holidays to the country.

Bringing holidaymakers home in the wake of the tragedy cost TUI £7m while the Tunisian hotels, which attract half a million TUI visitors a year, have been left empty costing TUI between £18m to £21m.

Altogether, TUI is facing losses of up to £32m, considerably more than the £20m it predicted earlier this year.

TUI’s joint chief executive Peter Long said the attack was a “human tragedy that completely overshadowed our quarter” adding that it was “the most horrific event I and my company have ever had to deal with”.

Along with co-chief executive Friedrich Joussen, Long said supporting its customers remains the priority and it was “proud of the commitment and dedication our colleagues have shown throughout this unprecedented situation.”

However, overall TUI reported an 18 per cent rise in underlying earnings for the quarter £138m leading to an eight per cent rise in share price.

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