Share

Tunisia loses third of tourism revenue

Tunis - Tunisia lost more than a third of its tourism revenues last year after attacks targeting the vital sector claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, official figures show. 

Two ISIS attacks last year killed 59 foreign tourists, badly shaking an industry that accounts for 7% of the country's GDP.

"The national economy in 2015 saw a decline in activity... notably in the industrial and service sectors, which were affected by the terrorist events and despite the success of the political transition," Tunisia's central bank said.

The country is hailed as a rare success story of the Arab Spring uprisings, although authorities have failed to redress the economy or resolve the problems of social exclusion.

Tourist entries in 2015 dropped by 30.8% compared to the previous year and tourism revenues declined by 35%, the bank said.

The number of tourists from Europe fell by 53.6% last year compared to 2014 - or by 65.4% compared to 2010, figures from the tourism ministry showed.

Lack of tourists

The 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali also dealt a blow to the tourism sector.

In March, 21 tourists and a policeman were killed in a gun attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis, while in June an attack at a beach resort near Sousse killed 38 holidaymakers.

ISIS also claimed a suicide bombing in Tunis in November that killed 12 presidential guards.

Last year several hotels closed temporarily due to a lack of tourists.

Travel operator Thomas Cook has cancelled all British bookings to Tunisia until November following a wave of protests across the country.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders