‘English Patient’ a Boon for Tunisia

The Tunisian Embassy in Washington, D.C., has experienced a dramatic increase in phone-call queries about Tunisia following the release of “The English Patient” and the re-release of “Star Wars,” both filmed in the tiny North African country.

Ambassador Azouz Ennifar says he hopes the calls will translate into more U.S. tourists for his country, which typically hosts only 10,000 to 12,000 Americans per year. By contrast, about 3 million Europeans visit; London and Paris are only about two hours away by plane. Tunisia plans a major tourism promotion campaign here in the next few months.

One New York-based company, Amelia Tours International, offers an “The English Patient” tour. The 12-day trip visits Tunis (the Academy Award winning movie’s stand-in for 1930s Cairo), the desert oasis of Tozeur (which starred as an Egyptian desert) and Matmata (a “Star Wars” location), among other stops. The price is $1,830 per person, double occupancy; air fare is extra. For reservations, see a travel agent or call (800) 742-4591.