Tunisia is safe and the Foreign Office (FCO) should allow British tourists to return to the country, the Tunisian ambassador to the UK has said.

The FCO has advised against travel to the African country since a terrorist attack on a beach resort in Sousse last June left 38 dead, including 30 Britons. In November, after a suicide attack on a police bus, the Tunisian government imposed a state of emergency across the country, which is still in place.

The guidance prompted UK tour operators, including Thomas Cook, to halt all package holidays to the country, while the FCO maintains that further terrorist attacks are “highly likely”.

A plaque to commemorate the dead after last year's Sousse attacks Credit: Getty

But Nabil Ammar has urged the Foreign Office to relax its restrictions and warned that the lack of tourists is hurting the economy.

“If you take statistics, you have much less chance to die in Tunisia or to have any harm in Tunisia than so many countries close to us,” Mr Ammar told the BBC.

“Every week terrorist cells are dismantled. Terrorists are arrested or neutralised. This should give a positive image, not a negative one.

“Part of the solution against violence and terrorism is to have a good economy.”

The Foreign Office's guidance on travel to Tunisia Credit: Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Figures from the Tunisian Tourist Board show a fall of more than 90 per cent in British visitors for the first four months of 2016 compared to last year, down from 84,225 to 5,980.

Can Deniz, managing director of Tunisia specialist operator Just Sunshine, said it was a shame it felt like the country had been singled out.

“There are problems in other parts of the world – in Paris, Brussels, Turkey – so it’s unfortunate that Tunisia has had a travel ban for so long,” he said.

The map explained: Those countries in dark red have a "high" threat from terror, those in red a "general" threat, those in orange an "underlying" threat and those in yellow a "low" threat.

“Other European countries are allowing their citizens to travel to Tunisia. So if it’s safe enough for the French, German or Swedish, why is not safe enough for the British?”

He said that relaxing restrictions would relieve the pressure on resorts in Spain and Portugal, countries expected to be busy this summer with security risks deterring tourists from visiting normally popular resorts in the likes of Turkey and Egypt.

Mr Deniz said that hotels and beach resorts in Tunisia have additional security measures in place, and added that there are regular police checkpoints on roads.

The Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to Tunisia, and all travel to part of the borders with Libya and Algeria.

“The threat from terrorism in Tunisia is high,” it says.

“Further attacks remain likely, including against foreigners. Security forces remain on a high state of alert and other locations.

“You should be vigilant, avoid crowded places and follow the advice of Tunisian security authorities and your travel company.”

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. The Foreign Office has not relaxed its travel advice since last year Credit: Getty

Should British travellers wish to reach Tunisia, there are daily Tunis Air flights from London to Tunis Carthage Airport, but no service between the UK and Monastir or Enfidah. Those who do choose to ignore the FCO's advise, however, will face problems securing travel insurance.

Nikki White, director of destinations and sustainability at travel body ABTA, said that the group trusts and relies upon the Foreign Office advice.

“ABTA and our members appreciate the immense benefits that tourism brings to the Tunisian economy and that the drop in visitor numbers from the UK and other destinations has caused significant hardship to local people,” she said.

“However, the safety of British holidaymakers must be the number one priority both for the FO and the British travel industry.”

Responding to Mr Ammar’s comments, a Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We know our travel advice can have a knock-on effect on the local economy and political considerations, but we don’t let this influence the advice we give. The safety of British nationals is our main concern.

“We are working closely with the Tunisians to understand the terrorist threat better and to help them to strengthen measures to protect tourists further. Our travel advice is under constant review and we will change it as soon as the security situation permits.”