Latest news with #ONTT
African Manager
10-05-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Saharan tourism makes a strong comeback in Tozeur
Saharan tourism remains a hidden gem of Tunisia's national economy. Promoting it today is more than a necessity, it's a relatively untapped niche poised for significant growth in the coming years. From January to April, Tozeur saw a notable rise in key tourism indicators, with a 10.9% increase in arrivals and an 11% rise in overnight stays, according to data from the Regional Tourism Commission. In a statement to TAP, Adel Sbita, the regional tourism commissioner, noted that this momentum accelerated sharply in the last ten days of April, with a 34.4% surge in tourist arrivals and a 30.5% increase in overnight stays. He emphasized that Tozeur's growth outpaced the national average of 8% for the same period. Upcoming programs in Tozeur Buoyed by these positive trends, the Regional Tourism Commission and key stakeholders are preparing for the summer season. As in previous years, the region expects to welcome foreign tourist groups, particularly Europeans, shifting from coastal destinations to Saharan experiences. Last July and August, hotel occupancy rates rose significantly, driven by visits to major attractions like Chebika, Ong Jmel, museums, and medinas. An inspection program is currently underway to assess hotel service quality. The commission is also collaborating with regional bodies, including those overseeing environmental protection, civil defense, commerce, health, security, and internal control systems to ensure hospitality standards. International promotions and future prospects Tozeur is set to host several foreign tourism delegations in the coming months as part of promotional campaigns. Special focus will be given to Scandinavian markets, including an upcoming visit by a group of Swedish businesswomen and Scandinavian tour operators to explore Saharan tourism opportunities. Additionally, an Italian tour operator is launching a promotional campaign to attract more European visitors, complementing efforts by the Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT). National Tourism Growth Tunisia welcomed over 2.57 million tourists by April 30; a 9.5% increase compared to 2024, according to Mohamed Mehdi Haloui, ONTT's Director General. Tourism revenue reached 1.69 billion dinars, marking a 5.4% rise year-on-year, with projections suggesting this year's earnings will surpass 2024's 7.5 billion dinars. Traditional markets showed robust growth, such as Europe with +24.4%, Libya +21%, Neighboring countries +6.8% and Tunisians abroad +5%. Emerging markets like China and Brazil also contributed to the uptick, signaling a broadening appeal for Tunisian tourism.
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
21-04-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia: Four specifications for alternative tourism coming soon
Director of legal affairs at the Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT), Najla Mansouri, confirmed the improvement in the tourism sector's indicators during 2024 and the first quarter of the current year, noting that the sector has recovered from the COVID pandemic. The Ministry of Tourism recently launched a new national tourism promotion campaign targeting European markets and work is underway to improve services and move towards digitalization, she added on ExpressFM. As part of efforts to simplify procedures and support alternative tourism, she noted that four specifications for certain types of tourist accommodation will be published. These concern the development and operation of family accommodation, rural accommodation, transit accommodation and tourist camps, with the aim of abolishing authorizations in order to facilitate the development of alternative tourism projects and further stimulate tourism investment. The ONTT official explained that these specifications would be drawn up according to clear and transparent criteria, taking into account the specific characteristics of each type of alternative tourist accommodation. She underlined the importance of using these tools and of abandoning the authorization system in order to develop alternative and sustainable tourism projects and to open up a space for young entrepreneurs.
African Manager
01-04-2025
- Business
- African Manager
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.
African Manager
18-02-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia's tourism regains its shine
Tunisia's tourism sector continues to impress, with its current growth driven by several key factors. The return of political stability, coupled with an aggressive international promotional campaign, has clearly paid off. Tourists, drawn by Tunisia's rich cultural and natural heritage, have responded in growing numbers. Industry professionals are pleased with these encouraging results but remain cautious about the future. Challenges persist, including heightened competition from rival tourist destinations and global economic uncertainty. Nonetheless, medium-term prospects appear favorable. In 2024, Tunisia set a new record, welcoming over 10 million tourists from various international markets—a figure surpassing the pre-pandemic benchmark year of 2019. Among these visitors, 328,000 were Tunisians residing abroad, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year. The previous record was achieved in 2019, when the country welcomed more than 9.4 million tourists before the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted this strategic sector starting in 2020. Tourism revenues reached 7.5 billion dinars by the end of 2024, representing an 8.3% increase compared to 2023. Regarding the main source markets, Algeria stands out with over 3.5 million visitors, a 16% increase compared to 2023. In contrast, the number of Libyan tourists decreased by about 7%, stabilizing at 2.1 million compared to 2023. Maghreb tourists accounted for nearly 5.7 million visitors, representing 55.6% of total arrivals in Tunisia in 2024 and 63.8% of non-resident foreigners. The French market leads with 1.1 million visitors, just after the Maghreb markets. Germany follows with 329,000 visitors, while the United Kingdom climbs to third place with 327,000 tourists, surpassing Poland, which crossed the 320,000-tourist mark. 11 million tourists expected in 2025! The total number of European tourists reached 2.974 million in 2024, showing a significant 16.9% increase compared to 2023. Additionally, Tunisia welcomed nearly 72,000 American tourists, 57,650 non-Maghreb Africans, 57,000 tourists from the Middle East, and 23,000 Chinese visitors. The tourism sector contributes approximately 9% to Tunisia's GDP and generates 400,000 direct and indirect jobs. Tunisian authorities aim to welcome over 11 million tourists in 2025, confirming the sector's growth momentum. Extensive Promotion Campaign in 2025 A major focus of discussions at the Ministry of Tourism was the upcoming promotional campaigns for Tunisia as a tourist destination, led by the Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT) in 2025. During the session, tourism professionals emphasized the importance of Tunisia's participation in international exhibitions and fairs to promote the destination, boost investments in the sector, and introduce new tourism programs aimed at developing sustainable and responsible tourism. These include initiatives such as the Culinary Route, the Cinematic Route, and the UNESCO Route. Furthermore, they called for better coordination with all stakeholders, including diplomatic missions and Tunisian structures abroad, to enhance Tunisia's international image.
