En Français Strict lockdown measures and travel bans have helped Tunisia become a regional leader in eradicating cases of Covid-19. Now, with restrictions loosening and industries returning to work, the tourism sector has been highlighted as key to its economic rebound. With Tunisia not recording any new cases of the virus since June 2, President Kais Saied announced on June 8 that a nationwide…
Interview:Amel Hachani What is being done to develop the tourism sector? AMEL HACHANI: The development strategy has two major aims. First, we want to extend the tourist season to a full year; and second, we want to add value to all our travel experiences. Although Tunisia currently mainly attracts families on their summer holidays to all-inclusive hotels, the authorities are encouraging the…
Tunisia has over 1200 km of coastline to the north and east, and is bordered by desert and oasis to the west, allowing it to enjoy a mild Mediterranean climate. With over 30,000 archaeological sites around the country, it offers a wide array of tourism options. Since suffering two terrorist attacks in 2015, in March at the Bardo Museum in Tunis and in June at a resort in Sousse, the country has worked…
Tunisia has a long and illustrious history of craftsmanship, boasting some 76 craft specialities, including pottery, weaving, tapestry, embroidery, basketry and jewellery-making. The industry, which sells its goods primarily to tourists in the country’s traditional souqs (shops or boutiques), was significantly impacted by the slump in tourist numbers following 2015’s terrorist incidents (see overview).…
Tunisia is the smallest country in North Africa with an area of 163,610 sq km and is also the northernmost country in Africa. It borders Algeria to the west, Libya to the south and east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. With over 1000 km of coastline, it has a strong tradition of commerce and openness to the wider Mediterranean region. The country also holds a strategic position as a bridge
In English Une sécurité renforcée a contribué à mettre le secteur touristique tunisien sur la voie de la reprise, celui-ci enregistrant une croissance à deux chiffres du nombre d’arrivées au cours des deux dernières années, même si l’évolution des recettes s’effectue à un rythme moins soutenu que celle du nombre de visiteurs. La Tunisie a connu un pic touristique au cours du…
Following a reduction in international arrivals between 2015 and 2016, tourism in Tunisia is rebounding. This shift is due to a combination of rising visitor figures from emerging markets and the recovery of visitor numbers from traditional locations. Foreign tourism spending increased 15.1% in 2017 to reach TD4.4bn (€1.7bn), while numbers of international tourists rose 23.2% to 7.05m, a figure that…
Interview:Ahmed Khalaf, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Tunisia How can Tunisia differentiate itself from other countries as a luxury tourism destination? AHMED KHALAF: Luxury tourists nowadays are looking for more than nice hotels; they demand a unique experience in an authentic setting. Tunisia stands out in this regard, as it is located in the North African riviera, with Mediterranean…
Building upon its strong performance in 2017, the Tunisian tourism industry is poised to carry on growing both in terms of the number of arrivals and overall revenues. Since ebbing to a low point in 2015, owing to two security incidents, the sector has rebounded to nearly 2014 levels. Key Figures Arrival figures have recovered to pre-2015 levels, with 7.05m foreign arrivals recorded in 2017, a 23.2%…
In recent years Tunisia’s tourism sector has turned increasingly towards the domestic market, with 50% of hotel occupancy coming from Tunisian nationals; allowing the sector a 20% increase in overnight stays. The stability of the domestic market, in addition to government-facilitated specialty rates for domestic citizens seeking accommodation, have enabled the sector to remain buoyant. Stable While…
