Africa-Press. The cumulative tourism revenue for Tunisia reached 3.352 billion dinars, equivalent to approximately 1.13 billion dollars, during the first half of 2026, ending on June 30, showing an increase compared to the same period last year.
Daily monetary and financial indicators released by the central bank of Tunisia, published by a local source on Saturday, revealed that revenues increased by 141.2 million dinars (about 47.7 million dollars), compared to approximately 3.211 billion dinars, or around 1.09 billion dollars, during the first half of 2025. Thus, tourism income recorded an annual growth of about 4.4%, indicating the continued recovery of the sector and its ability to provide additional foreign currency resources during the first six months of the year.
A Major Source of Hard Currency
The increase in tourism revenues is particularly significant for the Tunisian economy, given the sector’s role in supporting foreign currency reserves, financing imports, and alleviating pressures on the current account. The World Bank noted that the improvement in tourism revenues, along with better trade terms, contributed to reducing Tunisia’s current account deficit to 1.7% of GDP in 2024, highlighting the sector’s impact on the country’s external financial balances.
The impact of tourism extends beyond direct income from hotels and accommodations; it also encompasses transportation, restaurants, traditional industries, trade, and services, making the improvement in tourism activity a supportive factor for a wide range of sectors. The World Bank describes tourism as one of the essential sectors in the Tunisian economy, benefiting from the Mediterranean coast and the historical and cultural sites the country possesses.
More Than 13% of the Economy
According to a presentation by the World Bank on sustainable tourism in Tunisia, the sector contributes over 13% of GDP and supports about 350,000 jobs, with a significant proportion concentrated in coastal areas. These figures reflect the extent to which the Tunisian economy relies on tourism activity to generate income and job opportunities. Additionally, the growth in tourism revenues provides an important resource amid the country’s need to bolster its foreign currency reserves and cover energy and essential material expenses as well as external obligations.
Summer Season and Record Expectations
The increase in revenues coincides with the peak of the summer tourism season, enhancing the expectations of those working in the sector for continued growth during the second half of 2026, which typically sees the majority of bookings and revenues.
Tunisia anticipates exceeding the threshold of 12 million tourists this year, after welcoming about 11 million visitors in 2025, according to statements by the Minister of Tourism and Traditional Industries during the opening of the first edition of the Tunisian Travel Market in May.
The sector aims to build on the figures recorded last year, when tourism revenues reached approximately 8.097 billion dinars, by expanding promotional campaigns, attracting new markets, and increasing the average spending per visitor, rather than solely relying on increasing tourist numbers.
