Tunisia Bucks Trend Recording Tourism Growth

During the world's worst recession and credit crunch since the Great Depression, many families are scaling back on luxuries such as traveling aboard. Mediterranean countries usually record high growth during the summer months, but most have posted loses from the same time last years. Not surprising. People have less money and the recession has turned out to be more serve in Europe and since most Mediterranean travel is intre-Mediterranean [ex. a French family going to, say, Malta] the decline in tourism is predictable. Most families have opted for closer travel than flying aboard.

At the start of the summer, the tiny North Africa nation of Tunisia has a lot to worry about. The economy depends heavily - 1/10th - on revenue from tourism. A drop in visitors would have a disproportionately adverse effect on the economy because the job loses would come on top of an already +10% unemployment.

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The Villa Didon in Carthage, the only decent boutique hotel in Tunisia.

But Tunisia - along with Morocco and Turkey - has bucked the trend. The country recorded a 4% increase in tourism revenue in contrast to pan-Mediterranean drops of 20% to 30%.

The Tunisia's increase is due to the fact that the country is a cheaper destination for cash-saving Europeans than, say, Spain and even more so when the Euro is converted to Dinars.

Several hotels have been remodeled and around 18 were closed last year due to sub-par quality.

Tunisia's tourism industry is strong, but relies to heavily on package tourism. The nation needs to build a more high-class brand of niche tourism. Thus far, the country has only one genuinely upper-class boutique hotel. It is a shame, there are many places that would provide great scenery for wealthy travelers. Tunisia needs to upgrade amenities and great more tourism directed toward the wealthy. Middle-class needs to co-exist, of course, but big money will come through the guests that frequent boutiques.