Tunisia is set to launch the first edition of the “Tunisian Travel Market” from May 7 to 9 at the City of Culture in Tunis, as it seeks to strengthen partnerships, cooperation, and investment in its tourism sector.
Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts in collaboration with key industry stakeholders—including the Tunisian Federation of Travel and Tourism Agencies, the Hotel Federation, and the Tunisian Federation of Tourist Restaurants—the event will be held under the slogan “Domestic and Neighborhood Tourism: Partnership, Cooperation, and Investment.”
Domestic tourism: a strategic pillar
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mohamed Mehdi Heloui, Director General of the Tunisian National Tourist Office, emphasized that service quality is a cornerstone of efforts to boost domestic and regional tourism as drivers of economic development.
Domestic tourism currently accounts for 20–25% of overnight stays — around 6 million nights — and authorities are working to raise that share to 50% by 2035.
Heloui also highlighted the resilience of domestic and neighborhood tourism, which together represent 57% of non-resident arrivals. Unlike long-haul markets, this segment remains largely insulated from external shocks. “A clear example is the ongoing US-Iran war: booking cancellations linked to the conflict have not exceeded 0.8% of arrivals so far in April,” he said.
However, he noted a slowdown in booking momentum, particularly from Eastern and Western European markets, while assuring that the ministry is closely monitoring the situation.
Heloui called on all stakeholders to further improve service quality, develop sustainable and alternative tourism offerings, upgrade border crossing infrastructure, and simplify investment procedures for domestic tourism.
Early booking culture and regional participation
Ahmed Bettayeb, head of the Tunisian Federation of Travel and Tourism Agencies, said the fair will be a key opportunity for professionals to forge partnerships and help establish an early-booking culture among Tunisian travelers, supported by dedicated digital platforms.
He expects at least 1,000 Tunisian professionals, including travel agents, media representatives, and digital content creators, to attend, alongside 150 participants from neighboring Libya and Algeria.
Dorra Ben Milad, President of the Hotel Federation, described domestic and neighborhood tourism as a cornerstone for Tunisian hotels. “Each season, we strive to offer a product that meets the expectations of Tunisian tourists as well as visitors from Algeria and Libya,” she said.
A three-year roadmap to international recognition
Lotfi Brahem, head of the domestic tourism committee and the fair’s organizing committee, explained that the event is part of a three-year strategic plan. The first edition focuses on domestic and neighborhood markets (Libya and Algeria). The second year will expand to the Arab regional level, coinciding with Tunisia’s bid to become the Capital of Arab Tourism. The third year will culminate in an international exhibition to cement Tunisia’s status as a global destination.
Chef exodus: a growing concern
Habib Ben Moussa, head of the Tunisian Federation of Tourist Restaurants, raised the issue of a “chef drain,” noting that Tunisian cooks are in high demand worldwide. This trend poses a challenge to the local sector, he said, calling for mechanisms to retain culinary talent and revitalize the industry.
TunisianMonitorNews (Dhouha)
