ISIS threat puts Tataouine off-limits for Star Wars fans
by Tom Anstey | 26 Mar 2015
The threat of Islamic State (ISIS) to tourists in Tunisia means Star Wars fans have been told to avoid a popular attraction because of the real threat of attack or kidnap by the terrorist group.
The desert town of Tataouine – the inspiration for Luke Skywalker’s home planet in the Star Wars movie franchise – is less than 60 miles from the Libyan border, home to 4,000 ISIS militants.
The UK’s Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel in the Tataouine area, also advising against all travel in the south of Tunisia. In its warning, the Foreign Office said: “There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners,” highlighting the recent ISIS terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum on 18 March, which claimed 23 lives.
Tataouine is one of the most popular locations to visit in the north African country by fans of the Star Wars movies. Recently, however, it has become known that the town had become a stop-off for ISIS on the way to training bases in Libya.
The UK's Foreign Office issued the warning following the 18 March Bardo Museum attack Credit: Foreign Office
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The threat of Islamic State (ISIS) to tourists in Tunisia means Star Wars fans have been told to avoid a popular attraction because of the real threat of attack or kidnap by the terrorist group. The desert town of Tataouine – the inspiration for Luke Skywalker’s home planet in the Star Wars movie franchise – is less than 60 miles from the Libyan border, home to 4,000 ISIS militants. The
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Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
by Liz Terry | 04 Jun 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 03 Jun 2026
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by Helen Andrews | 28 May 2026
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by Kath Hudson | 04 May 2026
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by Magali Robathan | 21 Apr 2026
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by Magali Robathan | 18 Apr 2026
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David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
by Magali Robathan | 21 Apr 2026
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New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
by Helen Andrews | 20 Apr 2026
The heritage-listed Department of Lands building in Sydney, Australia, has relaunched as a major cultural and events destination, as part of a mixed-use redevelopment of two iconic buildings known collectively as the Sandstone Precinct. Singapore-based Pontiac Land Group owns the property, as well as the building next door that was the former Department of Education building. The two-phase restoration project has seen Pontiac turn the Department of Education building into
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
by Magali Robathan | 16 Apr 2026
World of Frozen has opened at Disney Adventure World in Disneyland Paris with new offerings across the entire park. The expansion almost doubles the size of Disneyland Paris, immersing guests in a life-size recreation of the Kingdom of Arendel. The World of Frozen features a Tangled -inspired attraction, 14 new dining locations and a large lake debuting a new night-time spectacular. It also features a daytime celebration, themed shopping, and
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
by Helen Andrews | 14 Apr 2026
The €200m (US$221.3 million, £169.7 million) Pical Resort, Valamar Collection has opened in Croatia with the country’s first ESPA spa. Valamar Riviera, a Croatian tourism company and hotel operator has revealed the 514-key property in Poreč, Istria. The development of the Pical Resort represents Valamar’s largest investment to date. The accommodation is split into the following options: the Pical Hotel, the luxury all-inclusive Pical Family Hotel, the exclusive Pical Suites
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
by Helen Andrews | 13 Apr 2026
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has revealed plans to expand its presence in Egypt with the renovation and operation of two historic hotel properties and the brand’s first-ever luxury river cruise. In 2022, Mandarin Oriental announced it would open its first Egyptian property, Mandarin Oriental Shepheard in Cairo. The hotel is undergoing a comprehensive renovation and is due to open in 2027. Ownership and development The river cruise, Old Cataract
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
by Helen Andrews | 27 Mar 2026
Holistic design and architecture practice Mendil + Meyer, based in Arizona in the US, has introduced a new division called Lām Concepts to integrate and align wellness goals for projects before they reach the design stage. Ben Meyer, architect and co-founder of Mendil + Meyer, told Spa Business exclusively about the new division: “Lām comes from the word loam, meaning fertile ground – the place where conditions are right for
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
by Helen Andrews | 05 Mar 2026
Wilderness, an operator of 60 safari camps across eight African countries, has unveiled the second spa under its new concept called The Sanctuary, at Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda. The Sanctuary is a concept that pairs design and wellness with raw, restorative landscapes. The offering at the Rwandan property follows the opening of a different interpretation of The Sanctuary’s concept at Wilderness Mombo in Botswana. Read more about that property here.
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
by Helen Andrews | 04 Mar 2026
Design firm 4a Architekten has shared details of the recently-completed extension to the wellness facilities at destination spa park Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa in Germany. The upgrades to the leisure pool facility, which has been in operation since 1984, included the addition of a thermal spa and sauna in a new building that integrated sensitively into the landscape. Commissioned by the facility’s operator, utility company Stadtwerke Bad Dürkheim, the
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