Tunisia: Tourist arrivals in Tunisia drop in first half of 2015

Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) – Tunisia's Ministry of Tourism Wednesday disclosed a drop of around two million holidaymakers up to mid-June this year due, particularly, to decreased numbers of tourists from Europe.

In its statement, the ministry put the drop at 21.9% compared to the same period last year. It indicated that the French have been reluctant to make Tunisia their holiday destination since the 2011 revolution.

At the same time the number of Maghreb tourists also dropped, particularly from Libya, affecting tourist arrivals in Tunisian hotels.

The ministry said that overall tourist receipts were estimated at 423 million euros during the period.

According to Hossam Ben Azzouz, director of the tourism professional group in Tunisia, the country was viewed by tourists as a destination without stability and security following the terror attack on the Bardo Museum on 18 March 2015.

-0- PANA AD/IN/IS/MSA/AR 24June 2015