First Edition of Tunisian Travel Market Aims to Promote Domestic and Regional Tourism

Introduction

The first edition of the Tunisian Travel Market (Marché du voyage tunisien), organized from May 7 to 9, kicked off in Tunis on Thursday, in the presence of numerous tourism sector officials and professionals from Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya.

Initiated by the Tunisian Federation of Travel and Tourism Agencies (Fédération tunisienne des agences de voyages et de tourisme, Ftav), under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, this new event is dedicated to promoting domestic and regional tourism and aims to become a platform for exchange between Tunisian professionals and their Algerian and Libyan counterparts. The salon also serves as a space for direct contact with the general public.

Minister of Tourism's Remarks

Before addressing the press, Minister of Tourism Sofiène Tekaya toured the various stands, exchanging with professionals representing travel agencies, hotel groups, online booking platforms, and airlines.

"The primary objective of this salon is to encourage domestic and regional tourism," emphasized the minister. He stressed the importance of instilling the culture of "early booking" (réservation anticipée) among Tunisian tourists, a formula that allows them to benefit from preferential rates, with discounts reaching up to 55% in some hotels.

The minister highlighted the strategic importance of Algerian, Libyan, and domestic tourism, which accounts for over 50% of national tourism activity, a market that requires special attention and continuous improvement of service quality.

Minister's Expectations

Considering this initiative a successful pilot experience, carried out in partnership between sector professionals and the Ministry of Tourism, Sofiène Tekaya expressed his wish to see it develop further in the coming years.

Regarding the tourist offer, the minister stated that, beyond the established beach tourism, Tunisia is working to diversify its products by developing health and cultural tourism, while prioritizing the quality of services.

Organizer's Comments

Lotfi Brahmi, president of the internal tourism commission within the Ftav and president of the Tunisian Travel Market organizing committee, specified that this first edition features two components: a professional space and a public area. He also announced the organization of B2B meetings between Tunisian, Algerian, and Libyan professionals to strengthen partnerships in the sector.

According to Brahmi, the second and third days of the salon will be open to the public, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the offers of major travel agencies and hotel chains, with the goal of encouraging Tunisians to adopt the culture of early booking.

International Participation

Brahmi added that nearly 150 visitors from Algeria and Libya are participating in this first edition, while the total number of Tunisian, Algerian, and Libyan participants is expected to reach around 1,000 professionals.

Algerian Travel Agency's Perspective

Naïma Merouane, director of an Algerian travel agency, stated that her agency already has a significant client base that travels to Tunisia every year. She explained that she attended the salon to seek advantageous offers for her clients and discover new products proposed by Tunisian hotel chains.