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The Tourism sector in Tunisia

Tunisian tourism is engaging into the 21st century with a number of assets: the geographic proximity to the biggest world tourism market: the European Union; a modern, diversified and particularly competitive infrastructure … not to mention Tunisian professional’ skills and extraordinary adaptation capacity to face changes in the sector. Ib addition to this, professionals are backed by a supporting, organized and inspired administration.

Finally, the main asset of Tunisian tourism is Tunisia’s economic and social stability, equanimity and life quality, making it a safe destination, a “haven of peace” in an ever changing world.

The development of tourism in Tunisia represents an economic opportunity, a choice and also a basic future requirement. A prevailing idea has it that the diversification of tourism in Tunisia must contribute to the sustainability of projects. It must favor the loyalty of possible customers, and the creation of innovative services pertaining to Tourism.

Improvement in the quality of service is reflected in the multiplicity of high standard units, with a total capacity increasing from 15000 beds in 1987 to more than 65000 in 2000, or a four times increase, while the global rooming capacity rate has doubled. The quality of services also improved through the introduction of a new classification system for hotels, the 2000 standards. Efforts spent in terms of hotel training programs also illustrate this policy which will enable Tunisian tourism to better serve conventional customers and attract new types of clients.

In quantitative terms, the rooming capacity in Tunisia has considerably developed, increasing from 100.000 beds in 1987 to 226.000 beds in 2004 and shall reach 300.000 beds by 2025.

Tunisia, a three thousand year old country, represents nowadays the first Arab and African destination, and is ranked among the first thirty destinations worldwide.

This success can be reflected through various indicators:

800 hotels were created as of 2004 and offer 226 153 beds; the number of non resident tourists visiting Tunisia amounted in 2004 to 5,997 millions (58,1% are Europeans). They spent a total of 33,487 million nights.
Foreign currency imports generated by these tourists increased to 2,238.8 billion dinars (1,4 billion Euros) representing 17% of the country’s total revenues.
In 2003, tourism investments amounted to 282.3 million dinars.
The tourism sector contributes with 7% to the G.D.P, generates 380 000 direct and indirect jobs and covers 56% of the country’s commercial deficit.

On the other hand, efforts engaged by Tunisia in terms of professional and vocational training is increasingly reinforced and is generating positive results.

Finally, assistance provided to the sector is flexible and efficient. It is provided by :

A Ministry representing the Authority and Orientation Administration

The National Tourism Office, a real engine for the promotion, marketing and control of tourism products, relying on a network of regional delegations and representations abroad.
The National Tourism Real Estate Agency, runs regional delegations, and is in charge of the design and execution of coherent tourism development plans through the genuine management of properties and the implementation of basic infrastructures.
Professionals operating in a number of representative and active professional federations.

The exchange of thoughts, cooperation and the harmonious collaboration between the Administration and the business community unquestionably constitute a major key for the success of the tourism business in Tunisia.