Tunisia: Stability Through Tourism

Europe | Policy | Destinations | News

TUNISIA: STABILITY THROUGH TOURISM

At the end of April the German government published the core elements of its tourism strategy. One of its three key objectives is for tourism to contribute to international stability. Tourism is a growth sector which makes an important contribution to economic and social stability in developing countries – particu- larly in Tunisia.

The unemployment rate in Tunisia is exceptionally high at 15 percent. Although the Tourism’s signifcance is omnipresent country’s economy is growing, that growth »Tourism is like no other industry. It’s all about culture, encounters and tol- only amounted to a modest 2 percent in erance. This intercultural exchange and reciprocal learning are exceptionally the challenging year of 2018. Tourism is all important to my fellow countrymen. Tourism is naturally also important to the more important in an economy that is the economy, and as a source of jobs and careers – not just in the hotels and beginning to recover. Visitor fgures are back restaurants, but also in agriculture and traditional craft industries. This value up to over eight million again for the frst chain plays an important role in Tunisia. As a child I noticed in my hometown of time since the revolution of 2010/11. Kairouan that the carpet makers were able to live in modest prosperity through Last year alone revenue from tourism rose selling their wares to tourists. by 50 percent. Economic fgures underline how important this development is for My country has enjoyed a close partnership Tunisia. Tourism accounts for 16 percent over the decades with TUI. The group stood of Tunisia’s gross domestic product and by Tunisia in the difficult years and gave 15 percent of the country’s employment. us hope. But, above all, TUI brings many thousands of tourists to Tunisia every year, Tourism is a strategic sector providing us with access to key European markets.« The Tunisian government was quick to recog- nise the strategic signifcance of tourism and, at the beginning of this decade, it developed Ahmed Chafra, Ambassador of the the ‘Vision 3+1’ strategy for the development Republic of Tunisia to Germany of the tourism sector. It aims to create more tourism products in regions away from the Mediterranean coastline, improve the quality Tourism upswing of tourism and expand the marketing opera- tion. This will increase value added per guest and contribute to sustainable growth. Tunisia m has beneftted from the advice and expertise International arrivals 8.3 of major tour operators in this process.

m The TUI Group is one of Tunisia’s interna- 7 .8 tional partners and the travel company has been strongly committed to Tunisia for many years now. Even during the difcult years, 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 TUI continued to make investments, retained its hotel complexes and continued to develop them. Source: Tunisian Ministry of Tourism

policyAGENDA June 2019 issue 8 Europe | Policy | Destinations | News

TUI currently operates 16 hotels in Tunisia and up to 38 weekly fights there. In dialogue This year TUI is expecting to bring 300,000 holidaymakers to Tunisia, which is over 30 percent more guests than in 2018. The company also has ambitious plans for the René Trabelsi (left), Tunisia’s future. The TUI Magic Life Skanes Club near Monastir and the TUI Sensimar Ulysse Palace Minister for Tourism and the only on Djerba will further expand TUI’s presence in Tunisia from summer 2019 onwards. Jewish government minister in the Arab world, talked to Fritz Boosting the tourism industry Joussen, TUI Group CEO, about a closer partnership at the Berlin In addition to specifc investment plans, the TUI Group is working with the German Corporate ofce in March 2019. Travel Association (DRV), its Tunisian counterpart FTAV and other partners to boost tourism in Tunisia and make the industry more resilient to potential crises. Support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under- lines the German government’s tourism policy ambitions and it is contributing to greater stability in North Africa.

Ichkeul Carthago National Park Kerkouane Tunis Thugga

Sousse

El Djem amphitheatre

Tourist spending 1,705 employees US$ bn 2.2 ≙ 10.8% hotels of exports 16

Source: WTTC

policyAGENDA June 2019 issue 9