Latest news with #ONTT
African Manager
30-06-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Alternative tourism: Gabes gears up!
Promoting domestic tourism is a key part of the Ministry of Tourism's strategy, especially as it has proven to be a pillar of resilience during times of crisis. Investment in this sector is therefore gaining momentum, particularly in the governorate of Gabes. Currently, six rural lodges are under development in El Hamma, Mareth, and Limaoua (Gabes-South), with a total capacity of 180 beds, alongside two family-run accommodations in Toujane. According to Gabes' regional tourism commissioner, Bechir Kediri, seven new family lodgings, one rural lodge, and a tourist activity center are also planned in Tamezret. At present, Gabes governorate has nine family accommodations across Matmata, Dkhilet Toujane, Gabes-South, and Gabes-West, offering 105 beds, as well as one rural lodge in Tamezret (Matmata) with 28 beds. As part of the region's tourism development follow-up, Gabes Governor Radhouane Necibi visited the new rural lodge 'Beït El Khchab' in Limaoua, which will offer 14 beds upon completion, with an estimated investment of 1.4 million dinars. New initiatives for sustainable tourism in 2025 The promotion of Tunisia as a tourist destination, led by the Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT), will kick off abroad in 2025. A recent working session at the Ministry of Tourism highlighted the importance of Tunisia's participation in international fairs and exhibitions to attract investment and showcase new programs for sustainable and responsible tourism. These include the Culinary Route, the Film Route and the UNESCO Route. The Minister of Tourism also called for greater coordination with all stakeholders, including diplomatic missions and Tunisian institutions abroad, to enhance Tunisia's image internationally. The Ministry is also committed to developing the domestic tourism market, which remains underexploited. While it contributes over 50% of overnight stays in countries like France and Spain, in Tunisia, it accounts for less than 10% of revenue and stays. Despite challenges stemming from economic and political contexts, tourism remains one of Tunisia's most promising sectors, alongside industry and agriculture. It generates both permanent and seasonal jobs and boosts other sectors such as transport, crafts, commerce, food service, and general services. The challenge now lies with Tunisians themselves: learning to book in advance to benefit from hotel deals and holiday periods.
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.
