Tunis – Tunisia’s tourism industry grossed over TND 3 billion from January 1st to September 20, 2018, up 48% from a year ago. The amount is equivalent to nearly EUR 1 billion, and industry turnover climbed 28% in European currency. The disparity from one currency to another owes itself to the fact that Tunisia’s dinar is weak comparatively to the euro.
Revenues have already exceeded whole-year numbers from 2017, Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) quoted Tourism minister Salma Elloumi Rekiki as saying this Tuesday (2).
The minister spoke at an event ahead of high season in the Sahara and a festival in southern Tunisia. She stressed the relevance of Saharan attractions to diversifying travel options within Tunisia.
TAP reported that demand is on the rise for both beach and desert destinations. The Kebili area in southern Tunisia saw 105,000 visitors from January to August, up 38% year-on-year and more than in the whole of 2017.
Festivals set to take place this year include an international half-marathon on October 21, the Date Harvest Festival from November 1 to 4, the Camel Race Festival from December 20 to 23, the Sahara Festival in Douz from December 20 to 23 and World African Culture Day on December 26.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
