The tourist season in Tunisia, traditionally concentrated on the months of July and August, is experiencing an unprecedented extension this year until the end of October. This was stated by the president of the Nabeul Regional Hotel Association, Taher Zaher, during an interview with the radio Jawhara FM.
According to him, despite a difficult start during the high season months of July and August, tourism indicators have improved, thus extending the flow of visitors until the last days of October. A situation described as a “rare precedent” by the hotel manager.
This development can be explained by several factors. Tourists tend to avoid peak periods, marked by high prices, lack of flights and high crowds, in favor of autumn, which offers a more pleasant climate, more affordable prices and less crowded beaches. Taher Zaher also highlights a notable change in the behavior of tourist consumers, who now favor relaxation and tranquility rather than the rigidity of the classic summer calendar.
Concerning the distribution of nationalities, Tunisians remain in the majority, followed by Algerian and French visitors. The Russian clientele retains significant importance, although it has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Before these crises, the number of Russian tourists reached around 600,000 per year in 2018 and 2019. According to Zaher, reviving this clientele would be beneficial for the local economy, in particular thanks to their travel outside of hotels towards the interior of the country and desert areas.
China, for its part, represents an opportunity that has not yet been fully exploited. The absence of direct flights between the two countries limits access for Chinese tourists, believes the official, who recommends the establishment of multi-destination circuits including Tunisia and other countries in order to strengthen the country’s tourist attractiveness.
Finally, regarding preparations for the end-of-year festivities, Taher Zaher notes that work is underway to guarantee an optimal influx of visitors, in particular through the scheduling of additional flights.
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