‘Tunisia’s total revenue increased at an annual rate of 12.7% in 2012 due to an
increase in domestic and inbound tourist volumes’
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LONDON – Despite the decline in tourism Tunisia experienced following the Arab Spring Uprisings of 2011, total revenue has
rebounded at a rate of 12.75% during 2012. This recovery was primarily due to
an influx of domestic and inbound tourist volumes. Additionally, airline
revenues have seen a 39% growth rate during 2012.
While tourism is still
affected by political instability and terrorist concerns within the region,
the government’s measure to improve tourism infrastructure and the
creation of pro-tourism regulations has helped restore the country’s
economic lifeblood.
Improved social and
political climate
 The ejection of Ben
Ali’s repressive reign has lead to a newly elected constituent assembly
that is likely to maintain a priority focus on tourism and continue
initiatives to encourage foreign investment. Foreign direct investment (FDI)
in Tunisia has already seen increase of 24.1% between 2011 and 2012 creating
a total of 7,501 new jobs, mitigating social unrest.
Airline industry growth
aided by regulatory reforms
Airlines saw a strong
recovery with the end of the revolution, with a 39.7% growth rate over 2012,
following a 29.5% decline in 2011. However, despite the recovery, airlines
relied heavily on tour operators to generate flight bookings due to the high
fares charged by international airlines. With minor social and political
restoration and modified airline regulations, airline industry prospects are
promising. Proposed open-skies agreement with the EU to bilateral air
agreements with various nations in Europe, Africa and the Arab region, will
act as important growth drivers for the Tunisian airlines industry.
Pressure from
competitors prompts growth in Medical and Wellness Tourism
Egypt
and Morocco, Tunisia’s neighboring tourism
giants, are also in the midst of enticing tourists, pressuring Tunisia
to explore new markets in order to refuel its inbound tourist deficit.
The
financial crisis had major impact on the tourism industry, affecting
the
primary European market. As a result, a new field of Medical Tourism
has
emerged and it’s expected to grow strongly by 2017, aiding the
recovery
of the stifled sector.
Driving Medical Tourism is
a solid medical infrastructure, ensuring access to inexpensive yet
high-quality medical services. Factored into costs, are luxury lodgings for
family members with a broad range of treatments available to meet growing
demands for health and wellness tourism. Treatments included spas, resorts
and thalassic therapy centers, supplementing the appeal for cash-strapped
Europeans. Adding to this growth, Tunisia aims to develop and promote its
thalassotherapy centers, such as those in Hammamet.
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For
further information:
Contact
Ashlyn Davis
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