Tunisia's Thermalism and Hydrotherapy Sector Continues to Grow
The thermalism and hydrotherapy sector in Tunisia is pursuing its growth dynamic, combining health, tourism, and economic challenges, said Moufida Ben Nasr, Director of Communication at the National Office of Thermalism and Hydrotherapy (ONTH), on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Speaking on Express FM, the official highlighted that this sector constitutes an important lever for regional development, due to its multiple benefits, particularly in terms of preventive and curative health, creation of tourist value, and stimulation of the local economy.
Key Figures
- The consumption of bottled water in Tunisia has increased by 8%, reaching approximately 2.1 billion liters during the first nine months of 2025.
- Tunisia currently has 31 bottling units spread across 14 governorates, with an estimated production capacity of 500,000 bottles per hour, a trend that the OTH attributes mainly to the quality of the produced water.
Hydrotherapy: Increasing Attendance and Strong Foreign Presence
Regarding hydrotherapy centers, Moufida Ben Nasr specified that 7 million people visited them in 2025, recording an increase of nearly 5% compared to 2024. Among these visitors, 180,000 benefited from specialized therapeutic courses in thalassotherapy. She added that 70% of the users of thalassotherapy centers were foreign tourists, with France being the leading emitting market with 38%, followed by visitors from Algeria and Morocco.
Complementary Therapy
According to the OTH official, hydrotherapy represents a complementary therapy to the conventional medical system. It has demonstrated its effectiveness in treating around twelve pathologies, including:
- Rheumatism
- Respiratory diseases
- Functional and motor rehabilitation
- Mental health disorders
- Gynecological, dermatological, and neurological diseases
However, she reminded that certain categories of patients, particularly those suffering from immune deficiencies or blood pressure disorders, must imperatively consult a doctor before any treatment, emphasizing the importance of medical supervision.
Future Strategy
Finally, Moufida Ben Nasr indicated that the OTH has developed a strategy to strengthen the attractiveness of thermalism and hydrotherapy centers in Tunisia, based on:
- Improving the quality of services
- Adopting modern promotion methods
- Diversifying markets, particularly the Chinese market and the reconquest of the Russian market She also announced the existence of investment projects ready to be launched, currently awaiting funding.
