Tunisia’s Travel & Tourism Industry Contributed 14.2% to Country’s GDP in 2011, Finds Timetric

23 Jul 2012 • by Natalie Aster

Tourism in Tunisia accounts for around 6.5% of North Africa’s total GDP, and the country’s tourism industry employs around 500,000 people. Tunisia’s travel and tourism industry contributed 14.2% to the country’s GDP in 2011, and with improving political conditions and government initiatives to develop tourism in the country, the total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP is expected to increase at a CAGR of 5.58% over the 2012–2016 forecast period.

The total number of trips under taken by Tunisians, including both domestic and outbound trips, declined due to political instability and slow economic growth during the review period. Leisure was the main purpose of travel for tourists travelling within the country; more than 45% of the total domestic trips were for leisure purposes during the review period. Leisure was also the main purpose of travel for outbound trips from Tunisia, accounting for over 85% of total outbound traffic.

According to the report “Travel and Tourism in Tunisia: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2016” by Timetric, the country’s open-skies agreement with Europe is expected to help Tunisia to regenerate its tourism sector following a decline in tourist traffic into the country owing to the ‘Jasmine Revolution’, which brought down the authoritarian rule in the country. Inbound tourist arrivals fell by over 30% in 2011 following the political turmoil, and over 33% of total tourism revenue was lost in 2011 owing to the political instability in the country. With the evolving political system and the return of peace in the region, tourism in Tunisia is expected to grow in the forecast period. Tourist inflows are expected to increase from Asia, Russia and the US, although Europe and Africa typically accounted for around 98% of the total tourist inflows into the country.

Report Details:

Travel and Tourism in Tunisia: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2016
Published: July, 2012
Pages: 80
Price: US$ 500,00

Tunisia is ranked fourth by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in terms of “Government prioritization of the T&T industry”. The Tunisian government plans to work with other Mediterranean countries for the development of multistop packages to encourage long-haul visitors from the Americas and Asia to visit Tunisia.

The Tunisian government has doubled its budget for promotional campaigns to develop tourism in the country to US$39 million. It also plans to improve tourism infrastructure in the country, especially in coastal and central regions of Tunisia. Qatari Diar, the property wing of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, is planning to invest in a US$100 million resort in Tozeur, in south-west Tunisia. The country is also receiving interest from other investors. Tunisia, with its strategic geographical location, evolving political system and stable economy, has great potential to emerge as a major hub for international tourists.

More information can be found in the report “Travel and Tourism in Tunisia: Key Trends and Opportunities to 2016” by Timetric.

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