Latest news with #IACE
African Manager
11-07-2025
- Business
- African Manager
How will AI revolutionize Tunisian tourism?
Tunisia's tourism sector stands on the brink of a major transformation driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI), according to an analysis published by the Arab Institute of Business Managers (IACE). Titled 'How AI is Redefining the Tourism Industry in Tunisia', the report notably recommends focusing on the creation of a national incubator dedicated to technologies applied to tourism, named TourTech. According to the report, the role of TourTech* would be 'to serve as a development framework for Tunisian startups active in AI, augmented reality, or predictive management applied to tourism.' It would also 'serve as a collaborative platform for developers, tourism institutions, researchers, and public actors, as well as a tool for accessing open data, targeted funding, and an international network of expertise.' The document refers to the World Economic Forum's 'Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024' and reviews the experiences of other countries in the region, such as Spain, France, and Morocco. It notes that the countries most likely to succeed in the AI transition 'are those that manage to combine digital efficiency with human richness, particularly by training tourism professionals in new tools while maintaining a high level of personalized interaction.' International experiences in tourism innovation and incubation Several countries have successfully integrated AI and technological innovation at the core of their tourism strategies, creating dynamic ecosystems that support smart and sustainable tourism. In France, the France Tourisme Lab network is recognized globally as a leader in tourism incubation. This network brings together nine specialized incubators and accelerators, having supported nearly 400 startups and advanced numerous projects nationwide. Among them, Welcome City Lab in Paris stands out as the world's first incubator exclusively dedicated to tourism. It has fostered the emergence of dozens of startups incorporating advanced technologies such as predictive flow management, digital heritage enhancement and multilingual voice assistants for tourists. In Morocco, Technopark Casablanca has become a central pillar of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting over 3,500 businesses and creating more than 15,000 jobs. Initiatives like the WISE Accelerator Bootcamp and Deep Tech Morocco's ambition to become a regional technology and education hub. These efforts promote the integration of advanced technologies into tourism, particularly in digitalizing tourism services and intelligently managing visitor flows. Other countries, like Spain and the United Arab Emirates, are also developing tourism innovation hubs, incorporating predictive technologies for capacity management, digital twins of destinations, and behavioral analytics platforms for visitor insights. A tourism & technology incubator: TourTech To draw inspiration from the pioneering models of France, Morocco, and Spain, and to deeply root innovation in Tunisia's economic fabric, the top priority should be the creation of a national incubator specialized in tourism technologies, named TourTech. Tunisia already has strong foundations to host such an initiative, particularly through the presence of smart technology parks such as those run by the Tunisian Technology Parks Company (S2T). These parks offer the necessary infrastructure for innovation, startup support, and cross-sector synergies. TourTech would serve as a growth platform for Tunisian startups working in AI, a collaboration hub for developers, tourism institutions, researchers, and public stakeholders, and a gateway to open data, targeted funding, and global expertise, the report concludes.
African Manager
09-06-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Check reform: major changes for slow-rolling benefits
Tunisia's check system reform has significantly altered payment behaviors, impacting consumption and inflation. The changes came after repeated complaints from SMEs about unpaid checks, as highlighted by Yassine Gouiaa, then-head of the National Organization of Entrepreneurs, in October 2021. By November 2021, Sofiane Gabsi, Secretary-General of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ANPME), even called for abolishing prison sentences for SME owners in cases of 'bounced checks.' In February 2025, a new law overhauling Tunisia's check system took effect, disrupting financial and economic norms long accustomed to checks as a primary payment and business tool. Spearheaded by the presidency, the reform introduced new rules, some still unenforceable and practices that clashed with both entrepreneurial culture and existing infrastructure. Overall, the reform was not implemented smoothly, as it is still being discussed and there is no consensus on its consequences. Firstly, the amount of circulating banknotes and cash reached nearly 25 billion Tunisian dinars in June, while the check law aimed to boost the digitization of local commercial transactions. By 28 May 2025, the value of circulating banknotes and coins had risen by 3 billion Tunisian dinars compared to the same period in 2024. This was officially attributed to the Eid al-Adha festivities, despite the fact that purchases, particularly of sheep, had not yet begun, given that prices had already skyrocketed to unprecedented heights. 72% of checks were used as collateral before reform and 74% of people reported difficulties afterwards Before the reform, 72% of checks were used for deferred payment or as collateral. One-third of consumers consider checks to be a means of deferred payment. Even among those with incomes above TND 5,000, 66% use them for installment payments. The IACE study, based on a survey, asserts that 47% of respondents encountered payment difficulties after the reform. 29% of respondents either gave up or postponed a purchase, often exceeding TND 1,500 D. The reform has had a particularly significant impact on the middle classes (earning TND 1,000–TND 3,000). According to INS data, the survey results indicate a decline in consumer purchasing intentions, particularly for goods sensitive to the use of checks. This could partly explain the 0.87% decline in the added value of the trade sector between Q4 2024 (2,857 MD) and Q1 2025 (2,832 MD). 'If you have cash, everything is free!' According to the IACE survey, the preferred payment methods of Tunisians after the new regulations came into force are cash (47%), followed by bank transfers and bills of exchange (16% each). Only 7% of respondents use the new check. Direct debit is almost non-existent (0.4%), despite being available at Tunisian banks, particularly for housing loans and loans for civil servants. According to the IACE survey results, 29% of consumers have given up on purchases, affecting essential goods. 78% of postponed purchases exceed TND 1,500, indicating a significant economic impact. This decline in purchase intent could explain the 0.87% decrease in the added value of the commerce sector. Looking ahead, 58% of respondents prefer mobile payments. 34% want deferred debit cards. Only 2% want to return to the old check system. Meriem Ben Nasser offers another perspective on the future, asserting that there are a few quick and effective alternatives to checks. In a LinkedIn post, she mentions BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), a digital solution integrated into the point of sale which enables customers to purchase items on credit with just a few clicks, without any paperwork. Other alternatives include instant digital microcredit backed by simplified scoring via mobile or payment history, pre-authorized payment cards with integrated payment facilities and mobile split payments via QR code. According to the expert, it is urgent that retailers and consumers are trained, the user experience is simplified, and local, inclusive and interoperable solutions are created. IACE conclusion: The law on checks needs to be reviewed. A survey conducted by the IACE one month after the new check regulations came into force reveals a rapid but mixed transition in payment habits. While the majority of consumers seem to be adapting by using alternative solutions, some members of the population are struggling to adapt, showing signs of temporary economic disengagement and indicating a risk of financial exclusion. In this context, it is essential to review the regulations governing alternative means of payment, taking into account technological developments and international standards. For instance, the European Union has enacted legislation that makes immediate transfers mandatory at the same cost as standard transfers. This system offers a reliable and modern alternative to cash or check payments. It is crucial to emphasize that any reform must be accompanied by digital inclusion measures, targeted educational campaigns, and appropriate transitional arrangements, in order to ensure equitable adoption and prevent vulnerable groups from being excluded. Furthermore, changes in usage must be continuously monitored in order to assess the medium- and long-term effects of this regulatory transformation on the economy and society. *Analysis note from the Arab Institute of Business Managers (IACE).
