The Tunisian parliament, comprising the Assembly of Representatives of the People and the National Council of Regions and Districts, convened a joint session on Saturday evening to discuss the 2027 tourism budget. The session, held at the Bardo Palace, was attended by Tourism Minister Sufian Tka. The budget for tourism and traditional industries is set at 184.221 million dinars, representing a 3.9% increase.
According to the joint report by 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 allocated budget will be distributed between the Tourism and Traditional Industries program and the Leadership and Support program. The former will receive 178.843 million dinars, while the latter will receive 5.378 million dinars.
The tourism sector plays a vital role in Tunisia's economic development, contributing 5.2% to the country's GDP and providing around 10% of employment opportunities. The sector is also expected to generate 8.137 billion dinars in foreign currency, which will help cover 37.3% of the trade deficit. Domestic tourism accounts for approximately 20% of total overnight stays.
The strategic focus of the tourism sector is on enhancing competitiveness, diversifying the tourism offer, 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 tourism budget discussion comes as part of the government's efforts to boost the sector's growth and development. The sector's growth is crucial for Tunisia's economic recovery and job creation. The government aims to increase the sector's contribution to the GDP and improve its competitiveness.
Minister Tka emphasized the importance of tourism in Tunisia's economy and the need to develop the sector to increase its competitiveness. The government is working to implement measures to support the sector's growth, including investing in infrastructure and promoting Tunisia as a tourist destination.
The discussion of the 2027 tourism budget is a significant step towards achieving the sector's goals and enhancing its contribution to Tunisia's economy. The sector's development is crucial for the country's economic growth and job creation, and the government is committed to supporting its growth.
Key points
- The Tunisian parliament has begun discussing the 2027 tourism budget, set at 184.221 million dinars, with a focus on enhancing the sector's competitiveness and diversity.
