01-04-2025
Tunisia: Sousse sees increase in bookings from traditional markets
Acting Regional Tourism Delegate for Sousse, Mohamed Boujdaria, reported a significant increase in hotel bookings from traditional markets (UK, Germany, France, Eastern Europe, and Algeria) compared to 2024.
During a presentation at the first 2025 session of the Regional Tourism Council, Boujdaria highlighted growing demand from Scandinavian markets, particularly for April and May.
He also noted encouraging signs of recovery in the Russian market, with negotiations underway to establish six weekly flights—aiming to revive pre-Ukraine crisis tourism levels.
Boujdaria added that the Sousse-Port El Kantaoui tourist zone welcomed over 1.169 million tourists in 2024, a 5.1% rise from 2023, with 5.752 million overnight stays (+10.5%).
Early 2025 saw 109,419 visitors (Jan-Feb), a 16% increase year-on-year.
Tunisians lead winter tourism, Algerians follow
Tunisian visitors dominated winter 2025 arrivals in Sousse, surging 20% to 65,142.
Algerians ranked second (14,276), followed by British (16,149), French (6,178), and German (3,475) tourists.
Tunisia targets 11 million tourists in 2025
2.974 million European tourists visited Tunisia in 2024 (+16.9% vs. 2023). Other arrivals included 72,000 Americans, 57,650 non-Maghreb Africans, 57,000 Middle Eastern visitors, and 23,000 Chinese.
Tourism contributes 9% of GDP and supports 400,000 direct/indirect jobs. Authorities aim to attract over 11 million tourists in 2025, sustaining sector growth.
Ambitious 2025 promotion campaign
The Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT) will launch international promotions in 2025, focusing on participation in global travel fairs to boost investment and highlight new sustainable tourism programs like: Culinary Route, Cinematic Route and UNESCO Route.
Industry professionals stressed collaboration with diplomatic missions and Tunisian institutions abroad to enhance the country's global image.
