(TAP)- Tourism revenues were down 8.4% from 1, 974.8 million dinars in 2015 to 1,808 MD in 2016 (9 months). Compared with the results recorded in 2014 (2, 745.3 MD), the fall is of 34.1%, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts.
In fact, the number of arrivals to the Tunisian border, stood at 4,330,591 persons, from January 1 to September 30, 2016, to register a slight improvement (+ 1.6%) compared to the same period in 2015. However, the regression is significant (- 25%) compared with 2014 (5,780,034 arrivals).
In terms of overnight stays, the tourism department reported a leap of 5.9% compared to 2015, reaching the level of 14,839,465 overnight stays. However, there was a noticeable decrease of 38.8% compared to 2014 (24,244,820 nights in September 2014).
In a statement to TAP, Houssem Ben Azouz, president of the Interprofessional Federation of Tourism (independent), explained the decline by the fall in the number of European tourists, which was before the revolution about 60% of the total tourist arrivals, while it now represents 30% of the arrivals.
"The decline is registered at the French, German and Italian markets, especially the UK market which has not increased after the attack in Sousse which made 38 victims of British nationality," he noted, adding that the UK does not recommend, so far, the "non-essential" travel to Tunisia.
The year 2015 was marked by two terrorist attacks that targeted the Bardo Museum in March, and a hotel in Sousse, in June, which is strongly reflected in the tourism sector nationwide.
Nevertheless, "the Maghreb market still has good results, especially as regards the Algerian market which continues to grow from one year to another."
As for the Libyan market, Ben Azouz reported a decrease of 9% over the past year, "because of the deteriorating economic situation in Libya."
Concerning the Russian market, he said it has largely developed over the past two years, after Russian tourists are diverted from Turkish and Egyptian markets.
© Tunis-Afrique Presse 2016
