Tunisia Sees 18% Rise in Approved Tourism Investments

Tunisia has witnessed an 18% increase in approved tourism investments, reaching approximately 1206 million dinars as of October 2026. This surge is attributed to 158 projects, encompassing the establishment of new tourism facilities and the expansion of existing ones. According to Sufian Tka, Minister of Tourism and Traditional Industries, these investments signify a positive trend in the country's tourism sector.

The investments are distributed across various projects, including the creation of new tourist establishments and the expansion of existing ones. This development is expected to boost the country's tourism industry, which has been recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Tka highlighted that foreign direct investment in the tourism sector has also shown significant growth, rising from 30 million dinars in 2024 to around 149 million dinars in 2025.

In a related development, the Tunisian government has been working to address the issue of closed tourism facilities. According to Minister Tka, 137 hotels have ceased operations, with 73 of them closing in 2015 or earlier, and 30 closures occurring since 2020. The main reasons for these closures include financial difficulties, debt, poor governance, and disputes. However, since 2024, the situation has been resolved for 28 hotels, with 17 reopening and 11 undergoing renovation.

The Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Industries has been actively engaging with investors and international hotel chains to explore opportunities for investment in Tunisia. Potential projects include the repurposing of closed hotels for health and wellness tourism or senior citizen accommodations. These efforts aim to revitalize the tourism sector and create new job opportunities.

To ensure the quality of tourism services, the ministry has conducted 5475 inspection visits to around 3000 tourism establishments. These inspections, carried out by 104 inspectors, targeted hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and tour guides. The goal is to guarantee compliance with quality, health, and safety standards, while also protecting the rights of tourists and consumers.

Minister Tka emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of closed tourism facilities, as they represent underutilized capacity, lost job opportunities, and unrealized investments. The ministry is working to improve the business environment and encourage investment in the tourism sector. A project to review the tourism classification system, particularly for hotels, is underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The Tunisian government aims to enhance the competitiveness of its tourism industry by improving service quality and developing new investment opportunities. The sector's growth is crucial for the country's economy, and the government is working to create a favorable environment for investors. With a focus on quality and innovation, Tunisia seeks to establish itself as a premier tourist destination in the region.

Key points

• Approved tourism investments in Tunisia rise by 18% to 1206 million dinars as of October 2026.
• The number of closed hotels in Tunisia stands at 137, with 28 resolved and 17 reopened since 2024.
• The Tunisian government is set to review its tourism classification system by the end of 2026.