Figures from the Central Bank of Tunisia on Friday showed that Tunisian tourism revenue increased by 54% in the first half of 2023 to 2.221 billion dinars (approximately $716 million) compared to the same period last year. Tourism revenue had recorded 1.438 billion dinars in the first half of 2022.
The Tunisian economy heavily relies on the tourism sector as the country faces a liquidity crisis while the government seeks external financing, especially reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund for funding of around $1.9 billion to support its budget. However, political pressures and the government’s failure to implement required austerity measures have hindered the agreement.
The vital tourism industry constitutes around 7% of Tunisia’s Gross Domestic Product, but visitor numbers significantly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, Lotfi Mani, an official in the Ministry of Tourism, stated that authorities expect approximately 8.5 million tourists to visit the country this year, which is around 90% of the 9.4 million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic. This represents a significant increase from the 6.4 million tourists in the previous year. He said, “Indicators point to a good season with an increase in the number of bookings.”
The Tunisian economy achieved a growth rate of 2.1% on an annual basis in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of the previous year, according to data published by the Tunisian National Institute of Statistics on Monday.
Tunisia’s economy grew by 2.4% in 2022, while the country expects a slower growth of the Gross Domestic Product this year, projected to reach 1.8%, according to the Tunisian Ministry of Economy’s statement in December last year.
