On Wednesday, the Tunisian Federation of Hotels (FTH) arranged a press conference to provide its analysis of the figures in terms of the tourism sector for the last year and explain to the public on the reality of the sector.
In spite of the immense growth the tourism sector of Tunisia experienced in 2018 in all respects, the FTH has another reading of the statistics, particularly those associated with revenue and the average basket per tourist.
Certainly, tourist arrivals reached 8,299,137, up 18%, overnight stays in hotels amounted to 27,070,302, which accounted an increase of + 23%, as tourist receipts in foreign currency stood at the equivalent of 4.093 billion dinars (+ 45%), or € 1.309 billion (+ 26%).
Even in euros, and regardless of the constant drop of the value of dinar, for the first time since 2010, revenues have increased.
As per FTH, this is majorly due to the return of European visitors, representing the most planned and transparent markets.
Nevertheless, the Maghreb tourists, who represent 68% of entries, keep on exchanging outside the regular circuits and consequently to pay their stay in dinars, said FTH.
Furthermore, 91% of European tourists stay in hotels, contrasting to the North Africans (only 25%), or Tunisians living abroad (only 4%).
Apart from the Maghreb markets, the revenue per visitor is 1,567 dinars, or the equivalent of €501, estimates the FTH.
