AGP Executive Report

Airport Transfers: MP Awatef Chniti says some Tunis-Carthage taxi drivers are demanding 70–100 dinars per passenger, instead of meter fares she estimates at 10–20 dinars. She is calling for stronger controls to protect arriving visitors. Cross-Border Tourism: Tunisia had welcomed more than 2.25 million Algerian visitors by September 10; over four million came in 2025, most crossing by land. Visitor Safety: A British family’s account of alleged poor hygiene and safety problems at a Tunisian hotel has renewed scrutiny of holiday standards. The family says its five-year-old needed antibiotics; its booking provider offered a partial refund. Hotel Investment: Meliá plans to open five more hotels in Tunisia, signalling continued interest in the country’s tourism market. Thermal Tourism: El Hamma’s baths draw nearly three million visitors a year, and officials are advancing plans for a spa city and new treatment facilities. Culture: Carthage Music Days has returned after a nearly two-year break, with Tunisian performers drawing a packed audience to the capital’s opera house.

Cultural Journeys: A visitor to Djerba found layers of Roman, Islamic, Amazigh and Jewish heritage woven into everyday life, after arriving on a seasonal Nouvelair flight from Belgrade. Holiday Watch: A British family alleges unsafe, dirty conditions at a Sousse hotel, including faeces in the pool; holiday company On The Beach offered a partial refund of about £496. Arts & Events: Carthage Music Days has returned after a nearly two-year break, drawing crowds for Tunisian rap, metal and traditional sounds. Wellness Tourism: El Hamma’s thermal baths attract nearly 3 million visitors a year, with plans for new and revived spa facilities. Hotel Investment: Meliá plans to add five hotels in Tunisia, signalling further expansion in the country’s hospitality sector.

Hotel Safety: A British family says their £4,000 stay at a Sousse hotel was marred by unsafe room conditions, undercooked food and faeces in the pool. Holiday provider On The Beach offered a £496 partial refund; the complaints have not been independently confirmed. Thermal Tourism: El Hamma’s mineral-water baths draw nearly three million visitors a year, officials say. Plans include a thermal spa city in El Khbayet, a treatment centre in Métouia and reviving Aïn Zarat baths. Arts and Events: Carthage Music Days has returned after a nearly two-year pause, drawing a young crowd to performances by Tunisian artists, including rapper VIPA and band Saharage. Cruise Connections: Fred. Olsen’s 19-night North Africa and Malta cruise, departing Liverpool in February 2027, includes a stop at La Goulette. Hotel Investment: Meliá Hotels plans five more properties in Tunisia, aiming for 3,000 rooms in the country by 2030 through a partnership with Management Hospitality Group.

Cultural Tourism: Carthage’s music festival returned after a nearly two-year break, drawing a young crowd for performances by Tunisian artists, including rapper VIPA and metal band Saharage. Thermal Tourism: El Hamma’s mineral-water baths attract nearly 3 million visitors a year. Plans include a new thermal spa city, a treatment centre in Métouia and efforts to revive Aïn Zarat bath. Hotel Investment: Meliá plans to add five hotels in Tunisia and reach 3,000 rooms by 2030, expanding from its current five properties. Cruises: A 19-night North Africa and Malta voyage from Liverpool in February 2027 will include a stop at La Goulette.

Thermal Tourism: El Hamma’s baths draw nearly 3 million visitors a year for mineral-water treatments, and plans are advancing for a thermal tourism city, treatment centre and restored spring. Culture: Carthage Music Days has returned after a nearly two-year break, bringing local performers and young audiences back to Tunis’s cultural scene. Hotel Investment: Meliá plans five more Tunisian hotels and aims to reach 3,000 rooms in the country by 2030. Cruise Travel: Fred. Olsen’s 19-night North Africa and Malta cruise, departing Liverpool on February 1, 2027, includes a stop at La Goulette. Eclipse Tourism: Tunisia lies along the path of the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse, offering a chance to draw visitors planning viewing trips. Tourism Revenue: Tunisia’s combined tourism revenues and remittances reached TND 13.2 billion by the end of September.

Cruise Links: Fred. Olsen’s 19-night North Africa and Malta cruise, departing Liverpool on February 1, 2027, includes a stop at La Goulette, offering visitors a gateway to Tunis. Eclipse Tourism: Tunisia lies along the path of the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse, giving travellers another reason to plan ahead for the event. Hotel Expansion: Meliá Hotels plans to add five properties in Tunisia and grow its portfolio to 3,000 rooms by 2030, expanding on its five existing hotels. Djerba Travel Alert: The US Embassy advised Americans to avoid Djerba on or around October 7 amid heightened security concerns; the date has passed, but travellers should check current guidance before visiting.

2027 Eclipse Tourism: Tunisia lies along the path of the Aug. 2, 2027 total solar eclipse, which will cross North Africa after passing southern Spain and Morocco. The event could draw eclipse-watchers to the country as they seek alternatives to crowded viewing spots in Egypt. Hotel Expansion: Meliá Hotels plans to add five properties in Tunisia through a partnership with Management Hospitality Group, aiming for 3,000 rooms in the country by 2030. The group currently operates five Tunisian hotels. Djerba Travel Advice: The US Embassy urged Americans to avoid Djerba on or around Oct. 7 amid heightened security concerns. The date has passed, so visitors should check current official guidance before travelling. Value for Visitors: Tunisia topped a Jet2 survey of holiday destinations for beer prices, with a half-litre averaging £1.27. The report also highlighted the country’s beaches, resorts and cultural heritage.

Hotel Investment: Meliá Hotels plans to add five properties in Tunisia, aiming for 3,000 rooms by 2030 through a partnership with Management Hospitality Group. The group already operates five hotels in the country. Djerba Travel Alert: The U.S. Embassy urged Americans to avoid Djerba around October 7 amid heightened security concerns. The warning was tied to that date, but visitors should check current travel guidance. Tourism Revenue: Tunisia’s central bank says workers’ remittances and tourism receipts together exceeded TND 13.2 billion by the end of September. Holiday Value: Tunisia topped a new ranking of affordable holiday destinations, with a half-litre beer averaging £1.27 and resorts in Hammamet and Sousse highlighted as value-for-money choices.

Djerba Travel Alert: The U.S. Embassy advised Americans to avoid Djerba on or around Oct. 7 because of heightened threats, and urged visitors to stay alert and avoid crowds. Tourism Value: Tunisia topped a holiday price list for beer, averaging £1.27 for a half-litre, with Hammamet and Sousse highlighted as affordable resort destinations. Travel Links: CTN has scheduled new sailings on the Zarzis route; Moroccan travellers have also reported detentions and entry denials at Tunis airport. Tourism Revenue: Remittances and tourism revenue together exceeded TND 13.2 billion by the end of September, according to Central Bank figures.

Djerba Travel Watch: The U.S. Embassy advised Americans to avoid Djerba on or around October 7 amid heightened security concerns. That advisory period has passed, but it put a spotlight on travel safety at the island’s resorts. Tourism Economy: Workers’ remittances and tourism revenues together exceeded TND 13.2 billion by the end of September, according to Tunisia’s Central Bank. Visitor Value: A Jet2 survey named Tunisia the cheapest destination on its list for beer, with a half-litre glass averaging £1.27; Hammamet, Sousse and Djerba were highlighted as holiday spots. Infrastructure: The Islamic Development Bank approved €335.49 million to help fund a highway extension toward Le Kef and Jendouba.

Djerba Travel Alert: The U.S. Embassy urged Americans to avoid the island around Oct. 7 amid heightened threats. The date has passed, but travelers should check current guidance before visiting. Holiday Value: Jet2’s destination comparison puts Tunisia first for low-cost beer, averaging £1.27 per half-litre; Hammamet and Sousse are highlighted for beach breaks, while Djerba offers a quieter option. More Flights to Djerba: Hungary’s Hévíz-Balaton Airport plans charter service to the island next year after strong demand for its Antalya flights. Tourism and Costs: Tunisia’s remittances and tourism revenues topped TND 13.2 billion by the end of September, while accommodation prices rose 14.7% year-on-year in September.

Djerba Travel Alert: The US Embassy in Tunisia advised Americans to avoid Djerba on or around October 7, citing heightened threats, and urged visitors to stay alert and avoid crowds. Holiday Value: Tunisia topped Jet2’s list of budget-friendly beer destinations, with an average half-litre glass costing £1.27; Hammamet and Sousse were highlighted for beaches and resorts. New Djerba Flights: Hévíz-Balaton Airport in Hungary plans charter flights to Djerba next year after passenger numbers doubled by September, boosted by popular Antalya services. Tourism Revenues: Tunisia earned 6.3 billion dinars from tourism in the first nine months of 2026, up from 6.1 billion in the same period last year, according to the Central Bank.

Djerba Travel Alert: The US Embassy in Tunisia urged Americans to avoid Djerba on or around October 7, citing heightened security concerns, and advised visitors to steer clear of crowds and stay alert. US Visa Costs: Tunisia is among 50 countries whose citizens may face a US visa bond of up to $20,000. Tourism Revenue: Tunisia earned TND6.3 billion in tourism revenue in the first nine months of 2026, up from TND6.1 billion a year earlier. Visitor Costs: A Jet2 survey named Tunisia the cheapest destination for beer, with an average half-litre costing £1.27; meanwhile, accommodation prices rose 14.7% year on year in September. Djerba Connections: Hungary’s Hévíz-Balaton Airport plans to launch charter flights to Djerba next year after strong demand for its Antalya service.

Travel Safety Alert: The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia warns Americans to avoid Djerba on or around Oct. 7, urging travelers to skip crowds, stay alert, and monitor local media as threat levels rise around the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks. Tourism & Money Inflows: Tunisia’s foreign-currency picture gets a boost: workers’ remittances and tourism revenues together topped TND 13.2 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 4.7%, with tourism revenues reaching TND 6.3 billion. Cost of Living for Visitors: Beer prices are a big draw for budget travelers—Tunisia is flagged as the cheapest holiday destination in a Jet2 survey, with an average pint around £1.27. Inflation Watch: Tunisia’s inflation accelerated to 5.6% in September, driven mainly by higher food prices, while accommodation services also pushed costs up. Aviation/Entry Friction: Reports say some Moroccan travelers were held and denied entry at Tunis-Carthage Airport despite having hotel bookings and return tickets, with no clear official explanation cited. Infrastructure: Dubai’s RTA completed a road expansion in Al Mizhar 4, adding a lane and cutting journey times—useful for regional travelers watching transport upgrades.

Cheapest Beer Getaways: Jet2 says Tunisia is the top value holiday spot for a pint, with average beer at £1.27 (vs £5.01 in the UK), plus short flights and warm autumn/winter weather—ideal for Hammamet, Sousse and Djerba. Tunisia’s Tourism Cashflow: Tunisia’s Central Bank reports workers’ remittances and tourism revenues topped TND 13.2bn in the first nine months of 2026 (+4.7%), covering 142% of external debt service. Ferry Links for Tunisians Abroad: CTN schedules new winter sailings on the Zarzis–Marseille route, including Marseille–Zarzis (Dec 11–13, 2026) and two more crossings in January 2027, all on the “Carthage.” Aviation & Travel Demand: Hévíz-Balaton Airport passenger traffic doubled by end-September, with charter flights boosting interest—next year adding Djerba and Tirana routes. EU Asylum Rules: The EU lists Tunisia as a “safe country of origin,” meaning faster asylum processing for applicants. On the Radar: A new US visa-bond programme affects citizens of 50 countries; Tunisia isn’t listed.

Tunisia Tourism Finance: Tunisia’s Central Bank says workers’ remittances and tourism revenues topped TND 13.2 billion in the first nine months of 2026 (+4.7%). Remittances rose to about TND 6.9bn and tourism receipts to TND 6.3bn, covering 142% of external debt service. Airport & Travel Friction: Moroccan travelers report being held and denied entry at Tunis-Carthage Airport despite hotel bookings and proof of funds, with no clear explanation cited. Ferries for Tunisians Abroad: CTN announced new winter sailings on the Zarzis–Marseille route, including crossings in Dec 2026 and Jan 2027, operated by the vessel Carthage. Regional Mobility Boost: IsDB approved €335.49m to extend Tunisia’s highway network to Le Kef and Jendouba, aiming to improve access, road safety, and regional cohesion. Tourism Index Watch: Tunisia fell to 82nd in the WEF’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index.