b- Editions Kahia Tunis - Grafica Roma published by national office of tourism and societe tunisienne de banque a study of the existing and pc 4 ltential structure of tourism foreword Tourism in Tunisia is growing and has become both an important source of foreign exchange for the economy and source of employment for many towns and villages. The importance of foreign exchange and the potential of tourism has caused the Tunisian Government to devote a great deal of effort toward attracting an increasing number of visitors. It is believed that this industry, as it presently exists, and with development anticipated in the future, constitutes an excellent investment opportunity for American and foreign businessmen. Before further investments are made to accommodate additional tourists, it is essential that the potential market be examined to determine from what geographical area the tourists ori- ginate, their possible mode of transport, why they visit a particular area, what they spend, how long they stay, when they come, and how many visit the country. Once the pattern of the tourist market is known, interested investors can evaluate in detail, the region's resources (attractions) with respect to what is lacking, and what the tourist desires. When this determination is made, the process of creating new facilities should begin. The tourist resources of Tunisia, as described in this report, consist of the beauty of the landscape, the monuments of historic and cultural interest, and the existence of towns that are both attractive and able to furnish facilities for recreation, shopping, etc., while providing the necessary physical elements, viz., water, communications, power, etc., which are basic requirements essential to support hotels and related facilities. The variety and wealth of Tunisia's tourist attractions, situated as they are in the heart of the Mediterranean, offer every advantage for the country to become a focal point for the interna- tional tourist trade. Principally, these are the sun, the surf, the beautiful beaches, the ideal climate, and the wealth of archeological treasures left by civilizations which, one after the other, played out their destinies on Tunisian soil, leaving behind numerous monuments and ancient cities. While nothing can replace a personal trip to Tunisia for the purpose of com- municating ideas and observing for oneself the investment potential that exists in the tourist industry, it is hoped this report will serve as an introduction and to illustrate that Tunisia is one of the few places in the world where the tourist can compress centuries of history into a pleasant environment. These factors, when matched with the country's proximity to the rich and vast European tourist market, together with Tunisia's need for additional and better hotels, motels, and amusements of all forms, merit further examination by investors. The investor interested in tourist attractions and accommodations will discover upon exami- nation that certain sections of this report are very specific, while others are general in nature. The Purpose of this report is to introduce both the general business, and physical environ- ment as it exists in the Tunisian tourist sector. This report will point out specific investment OPPortunities to hotel and motel entrepreneurs, manufacturers of hotel and motel equipment, Producers of recreation facilities and businessmen willing to invest in recreation and ssrvice establishments. - - introduction to tunisia iun~sla,located an ihe norlhern oasi of kir<co, is geography approxlmatelv m~dwaybetween Giibraltar and Suez. it is bounded on the north and east 2v ;he derj~ter- ranean Sea, on the west by Algerla. and on the sourn- east by Libya and the vast Sahara 3esert The Atlas mountam chain divides Tun~s~ainto two reglons - north and south. In the north and along :he eastern edge one f~nds800 nlles of the most beautiful beach in the Mediterranean area. In the south one finds the Sahara Desert w~thseveral tour~stoases. There are nearly four million inhabitants In Tun~sra The capital, Tunis, and principal towns are all ports. Tunisia with the exception of Morocco, IS closer to Europe than any other Afr~canCountry. Th~s~mportant fact of geography is made apparent on the maD. Tunisia's Proximity To The Tourist Market. The economy of the country IS based pr~nc~pallyupon agriculture and mming; phosphate rock. iron ore, lead and zinc are important. Survey teams are prospecting for oil, but to date commercial quantities have no: been discovered. At the present Tunisla's transpor!ation facilities are ade- transportatjon quate for the country to fully accommodate a sizeable increase in the tourist trade. RAILWAYS. All major commercial tourist centers are con- nected by rail. Thls railroad network is admin~stered by the Tunisian Railroad Company, and consists of the follow- ing: 963 miles of narrow gauge 3' - 3 3/8" and 280 miles of standard gauge 4' - 8%". The motive power is diesel and diesel electric. HIGHWAYS. The Tunis~anhighway network covers 5,000 miles of paved road. These roads are well posted and maintained, although temporary interruptions may occur in southern areas during and after heavy rains. There are 520 public vehicles with a total of 21,800 seats. They are owned by over 100 firms some of which, however, are small family businesses. There are also 700 hire-cars and taxicabs with a total of 4,000 seats. There is regular bus service as well as char!er service to tourist sites. Taxi stations are available in the major cities and automobiles may be rented at prices comparable to those in the United States and Europe. SEAPORTS. Located along Tunisia's coast line are 4 malor and 22 minor ports providing access to the country by sea. Tunis-La Goulette is the major port, situated at the end of a lagoon and connected by a 6 mile channel. The port possesses berths several hundred yards long for vessels with over 20 ft. draughts. At this port, a new berth, 7,500 feet square with a depth of over 4 fathoms has just been completed. The port of Bizerte is a natural 46 square-mile bay of clear water with depths up to 40 feet. It is joined to the sea by a channel, a mile and half long and 220 yards wide. The port of Sousse is an artificial port serving the phos- phate industry. The port of Sfax is the major phosphate port. All of the above ports are continuously being improved, enlarged and modernized. Table 1 indicates characteristics for the five major ports. Table 2 indicates the type of service provided by steam- ship companies maintaining regular service between Tunisian and European Mediterranean ports which are: Navigation Company of Tunisia - agents for the General Transatlantic Company. Tirrenia Company - an Italian firm. Navigation Mixte Company - a French line. In addition, several European tourist ship lines call at Tunisian ports. AIRPORTS. At the present time there is adequate air serv- ice to Europe and the United States. France and Italy are linked direct to Tunisia by a regular passenger service and there is a continuous shuttle of tourists. The main directions of flight are towards Paris, Marseille, Nice, and Rome. The airport of Tunis-El Aouina is equipped with adequate facilities, a new 3,300 yard runway has been completed which accommodates multi-jet aircraft. Airfields are locat- ed at Sfax, Gabes, and Djerba. The runway at Djerba has been enlarged to accommodate jet aircraft of Caravelle category. New airfields will be constructed at Monastir and Tozeur. Elements of existing air transportation factors may be studied in Table 3. The following air lines have opened offices and started operations in Tunisia: Tunis Air, KLM, Air France, United Arab Airlines, Alitalia, TWA, TABSO, and Air Algeria. Other airlines operate charter tourist flights to Tunis, e.g., Swiss Air, Condor, LTU. All have indicated that with the growth of tourism they anticipate increases in traffic. I Tunisia's dazzling sites and its landscape are corn-i bined in a small area which comprises the mysterious, enchantment of the Saharian oases of Tozeur and Nefta, the snowy loneliness of the forests at Ain-Dra- ham, the excitement of the beaches of Hammamet or Gammarth, the polynesian magic of the Island of Djerba and the secret attractions of Sidi Bou-Said, which is lost in time on its rock overlooking one of the most beautiful gulfs in the world. A summary of these and other tourist attractions follow, these sites may be studied together with area facilities on the map showing Tunisian Tourist Attractions and Ac. commodations. the sea The 800 miles of coast line, varied in aspect, contain an enormous number of spacious beaches. The sand is fine and the beaches easy of access. Generally speaking, the sea is calm, safe and agreeably warm Islands and islets, inhabited or deserted, are dotted along the coast at varying intervals. There are numerous natural sites all over the country having remarkable panoramas of the sea, the lakes the mountains and sand dunes. A great quantity of hot mineral springs with healing properties gush from the soil near the sea shore. The numerous gulfs, rocky reefs, mud or sand bot toms, and the underwater meadows of the coast, art the habitat of every conceivable variety of Medite~ ranean fish. Archeological riches are found in various spots nea the sea, many consisting of imposing groups of an cient monuments, some intact, others in ruins depict ing Carthaginian, Roman, Byzantine and Mosler civilizations. Sea side bathing areas are available to meet the mos sophisticated desires for sea side living, sun bathinc open-air life, and water sports. attractions Tunisia, with the variety and extent of her beache! her permanent sunshine, the luminosity of her skie! the prolonged duration of the summer season is ver well placed for the promotion and operation of add tional bathing resorts.