TUNISIA plans to expand its internet outreach as part of a promotional technique to attract around 10 million tourists by 2014, Tunisian Minister of Tourism Slim Tletli recently told reporters.
He added that the ministry will soon have its own website and that of the Tunisian National Tourism Authority will be revamped to meet the challenges of the online era.
The latest World Tourism Organisation data shows that about 70 per cent of tourists world-wide now choose their holiday destination by browsing the internet. This power over tourist decision-making is drawing attention far beyond government circles with local agencies also recognising the need to tap into modern technologies.
Tunisia’s tourism revenues reached TND545 million ($365 million) in the first quarter of 2010, with 1.098 million tourists and 4.463 million bed-nights, equalling a 4.6 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2009.
Besides expanding internet promotions, the ministry’s other priorities include “tourism sector growth rates of about seven per cent, and generating $5 billion in hard currencies,” Tletli said.