The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development in Tunisia (USAID), intends to mobilize between 30 and 50 million dollars within the framework of the “Visit Tunisia” program for the development of sustainable tourism over the next five years.
According to Mona Ghlis, director-general of international cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism, other funds will be mobilized by the European Union to support this sector weakened by the Coronavirus crisis.
The European Union and the German Agency for Cooperation and Cooperation intend to mobilize around 50.5 million euros, within the framework of “Tunisia is our destination” and the program for the diversification of tourism as well as the promotion of cultural heritage. , during the period 2020-2024.
Note that during the first 10 months of the year 2020, the number of tourist nights fell by 80% compared to the same period last year.
This figure is explained in particular by the drop in arrivals which fell by 77%, especially among Europeans (-85%) and North Africans (-78).
According to the director-general of the Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT), Mohamed Moez Belhassine, tourism revenue fell by 62%, to 1.8 billion dinars, against 4.8 billion dinars, in October 2019. In euros, these revenues have fallen by 60%, reports the TAP agency.
The official recalled that the tourist activity represents 14% of the GDP and more than 400 thousand jobs.
