Tourism
From The Report: Tunisia 2018
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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. The government has significantly improved the security situation since 2015, particularly in major tourist destinations. New markets and investors are generating meaningful gains, and both the government and private sector appear committed to the sector’s continued development, solidifying the industry’s position as an integral part of the economic future. The strong performance of the sector in 2017 and early 2018 gives the industry reason to be optimistic. This chapter contains an interview with Ahmed Khalaf, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Tunisia.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Return to form: Improved security encourages the return of European visitors, while government activity supports regional expansion
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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% increase over 2016. However, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) announced revenue from tourism to be…

Analysis

New arrivals: Activity from emerging markets coupled with a return of traditional partners breathes new life into the sector
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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 surpasses the 2010 record of 6.9m. As a result, revenues from the tourism sector reached TD2.7bn…

Analysis

Home grown: Government incentives help the domestic market expand
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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 the foreign market has fluctuated heavily in the years since 2015, domestic tourism has maintained…

Interview

Sharing experiences: Ahmed Khalaf, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Tunisia, on developing luxury tourism
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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 beaches, a 2000-year history and a very rich cultural experience. However, to fully unlock the potential…