The fortunes for the Tunisian travel industry could hardly have got off to a worst start in 2011.
As political tensions rose to the point where disturbances manifested themselves, tour operators throughout Europe began to withdraw holidays to the country. In what was described as an “over-reaction” by some commentators, Jet2Holidays cancelled their Tunisia holidays for the whole of the summer 2011 season. Other tour operators such as Thomson Holidays were taking a more conservative approach, cancelling imminent flights and retaining a “wait and see” strategy.
Tunisia relies on it’s developed tourism industry for around 6 to 7 % of it’s total GDP and the loss of this revenue could have severe knock on effects as well as the obvious severe risk to jobs. Tunisia has done well in recent years, perhaps boosted by the strength of the Euro, as UK tourists seek out better value sunshine holidays away from the Euro zone.
Tourism, in sheer passenger numbers terms is centred around the Med coast of Tunisia, and the Eastern side of The Tunisia coast at that. The most important resorts are Sousse, Hammamet and Djerba.