Latest news with #Haloui
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Tunisia receives 3.4 million tourists between January and May
TUNIS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The head of Tunisia's National Tourism Office said on Thursday that Tunisia has received 3.4 million tourists in the first five months of the year. "We can reach our goal of welcoming 11 million tourists in 2025; the current growth rate allows us to be optimistic," Mohamed Mehdi Haloui, director general of the Tunisian National Tourism Office, was quoted by the private radio station Mosaique FM. Haloui noted that Tunisia is on the right track to boost its tourism industry as the country is improving the service quality of its hotel sector. According to the official, Tunisia generated tourism revenues worth 7.5 billion Tunisian dinars (about 2.54 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, and is expected to exceed 8 billion Tunisian dinars (about 2.7 billion U.S. dollars) this year.
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: Reported tourism investment intentions reach $250mln in 2024, including Qatari investments
Tunis: "The reported tourist investment intentions up to April 10, 2025, estimated at TND 750 million, include Qatari investments, National Office of Tunisian Tourism (ONTT) Director-General Mohamed Mehdi Haloui stated, specifying that these (Qatari) investments will be achieved in the Tabarka region. Speaking in an interview with TAP's TV studio, Haloui announced that "a portfolio worth over TND 550 million had already been examined by the Tunisian Investment Authority (TIA), adding that by the end of 2025, forecasts expect investment intentions to exceed TND 1 billion, "as we are also expecting other Arab investment intentions to be reported." "In 2024, local and foreign investment intentions in the tourism sector had reached over TND 900 million," he recalled, considering that "this indicator (investment intentions) is of great importance as it shows the return of the investors' confidence in the Tunisian tourism sector." Answering a question on alternative tourism, the official affirmed that small investments in alternative tourism contribute to the achievement of an integrated development, by allowing, notably young people and categories with a low financial means, to invest in the tourist sector. "This year, alternative tourism has seen an increase compared to last year. This can be perceived in the rise in the number of prior authorisations, despite the low value of investments," he said. The official furtler announced that draft specifications governing tourist accommodation had been drawn up. These drafts will be sent to the various relevant ministries for consultation before being submitted to the Prime Minister for adoption. The revision of the specifications is a necessity in order to simplify the procedures for opening tourist accommodation and to enable young people with limited financial capacity to set up their own projects, Haloui considered, adding that this revision will also enable unregistered guest houses operating illegally (numbering around 2,000) to regularise their situation. In the same regard, he recalled the advantages granted to young promoters wishing to make tourism investments in the regional development zones (21 governorates except those of Nabeul, Monastir and Greater Tunis), who can benefit from a bonus of 15% of the investment value or 30% of the investment value, in addition to other tax and customs exemptions, as well as appropriate training. After an absence in 2022, Tunisia featured in 2023 in the international report of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) carried out by the Financial Times on foreign tourist investments, with 6 international projects, worth an investment of TND150 million, concluded Haloui. © Tap 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
African Manager
12-02-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia gains momentum with major tourism projects
Mohamed Mehdi Haloui, Director of Investments at the National Tourism Office, highlighted the revitalization of Tunisia as a tourist destination, particularly emphasizing the growing interest from foreign investors. He noted that several international brands have expressed interest in expanding their presence in the country, either by opening new hotel units or enhancing existing operations through expansion projects. In an interview with African Manager on Tuesday, February 11, Haloui confirmed that the current period is marked by the completion of numerous tourism projects, with a total value of nearly 120 million dinars. He also revealed that the Ministry of Tourism is reviewing several legislative texts and laws to further stimulate investment in the tourism sector. Haloui stated that the sector has seen an improvement in investment activity over the past year, both in terms of investment intentions and actual investments. He detailed that total investment intentions reached 936.038 million dinars, while the value of realized investments was estimated at around 172 million dinars, with approximately 156 million dinars allocated to completing tourism accommodation projects. 'Investment intentions in 2024 showed growth compared to 2023, when they stood at around 870 million dinars,' he added. Major tourism projects soon to launch in Tunisia Haloui announced that the tourism sector will be bolstered by the launch of several significant projects, including a new Hilton-branded hotel in Tunis. 'In the South, work is nearing completion on two new units. We also hope that the Tamerza Palace Hotel will reopen this year, following the completion of all procedures by the project review committee. Additionally, work on the Forest Hotel in Jendouba has reached advanced stages, and it will reopen to the public in the coming weeks,' he said. He also assured that numerous tourism establishments in Sousse and Hammamet are set to open soon. Haloui announced that a Libyan investor has decided the fate of the iconic inverted pyramid hotel (Hôtel du Lac) in Tunis after holding a series of meetings with the Tunis Municipality and the National Heritage Institute. He confirmed that it has been decided to preserve the hotel's architectural structure, effectively abandoning the previously proposed demolition plans. Tourism revenues rise by 6.3% Cumulative tourism revenues increased by 6.3%, reaching 6.6 billion dinars as of November 20, 2024, according to monetary and financial indicators published by the Central Bank of Tunisia. Remittance revenues also saw a positive increase of 2.7%, reaching 7 billion dinars compared to 6.8 billion dinars the previous year. External debt servicing rose by nearly 24%, exceeding 13 billion dinars as of November 20, 2024. Net foreign exchange reserves remained stable at 24.8 billion dinars, equivalent to 112 days of imports. Factors behind the growth The observed growth is attributed to several factors. The return of political stability, combined with an aggressive international tourism promotion campaign, has clearly paid off. Tourists, drawn by Tunisia's cultural and natural riches, have responded in increasing numbers. While sector professionals welcome these encouraging results, they remain cautious about the future. Challenges persist, including heightened competition from rival tourist destinations and global economic uncertainty. Nevertheless, medium-term prospects appear favorable.
