According to the Tunisian National Tourism Office, Tunisia welcomed 4.3 million tourists in the first half of 2025, marking an 11% increase on the same period last year. With tourism revenues surpassing 3 billion dinars (around US$1 billion), it’s evident that the country’s beaches and ancient ruins are once again generating significant revenue.
‘Tourism is now one of the sectors contributing most to the inflow of foreign currency into the national economy,’ said Mohamed Mehdi Haloui, head of the National Tourism Office, speaking to Mosaique FM. He described the 2025 season so far as ‘very positive’, and this optimism seems well-founded. The Tourism Ministry expects to welcome over 11 million visitors by the end of the year, which would smash pre-pandemic records.
Following the devastating terror attacks of 2015 and years of closures related to the pandemic, Tunisia’s tourism industry is finally picking up again. Officials attribute this turnaround to enhanced security measures, more effective marketing strategies abroad, and an increase in low-cost flights connecting Tunisian cities with Europe’s major travel hubs. The return of cruise ships and an increase in desert tourism have also helped.
Tourism is much more than just an added bonus for Tunisia — it accounts for around 14% of GDP and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. This makes it a key part of the country’s economic strategy, particularly as the government seeks to attract foreign investment and achieve financial stability.
‘We’re back on the map,’ said Haloui, and judging by the figures, travellers are considering Tunisia again — this time for all the right reasons.
TunisianMonitorOnline (ONTT-CBR)
