The Tunisian parliament, comprising the Assembly of Representatives of the People and the National Council of Regions and Districts, convened in a joint session on Saturday, November 14, 2026, to discuss the 2027 tourism budget. The session was attended by Tourism Minister Sufian Tkaia. The discussion focused on the tourism sector's budget, which is part of the state's 2027 budget project.
According to the joint report of the Tourism, Culture, Services, and Traditional Industries Committee of the Assembly of Representatives of the People and the Investment and International Cooperation Committee of the National Council of Regions and Districts, the 2027 budget for tourism and traditional industries is 184.221 million dinars. This represents a 3.9% increase from the previous year. The allocated funds are divided into two programs: the Tourism and Traditional Industries Program with 178.843 million dinars and the Leadership and Support Program with 5.378 million dinars.
The report highlighted the tourism sector's crucial role in implementing the state's development plans and improving the quality of tourism products. The sector contributes 5.2% to the country's GDP and provides around 10% of employment opportunities. The report also noted that the sector's foreign exchange earnings are estimated at 8.137 billion dinars, which helps cover 37.3% of the trade deficit.
The tourism sector's internal tourism accounts for around 20% of the total nights spent in the country. The strategic orientations of the sector focus on enhancing competitiveness, diversifying tourism offerings, and reducing seasonality. This will be achieved by developing desert, cultural, heritage, sports, and conference tourism, as well as opening new routes to explore archaeological sites and ancient cities.
The development of the tourism sector is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy. The sector's growth will create new job opportunities and increase foreign exchange earnings. The government's efforts to promote tourism and improve infrastructure will also contribute to the sector's growth.
The discussion of the 2027 tourism budget in parliament reflects the government's commitment to developing the sector. The allocated funds will be used to implement the sector's strategic plans and improve the quality of tourism services. The tourism sector is expected to play a significant role in Tunisia's economic growth and development.
The Tunisian government is working to promote tourism and attract more tourists to the country. The sector's growth will have a positive impact on the country's economy and will help to reduce the trade deficit. The government's efforts to develop the tourism sector are expected to yield positive results in the coming years.
Key points
- The 2027 budget for tourism and traditional industries in Tunisia is 184.221 million dinars, representing a 3.9% increase from the previous year.
Reporting sources
- Jawhara FM · Jawhara FM
