(Ecofin Agency) - Tunisia’s tourism revenues was TND3.7 billion ($1.23 billion) during the first eleven months of 2018, representing a 40.5% rise on a year to year basis, according to the ministry of tourism.

The number of tourists increased by 17.2% between January 1 and July 30, 2018, to reach 7.5 million, the same source reveals.

During the period under review, a strong rise in the arrival of tourists from main countries in Europe notably were noticed. They are the UK (+345%), Belgium (+99%), France (+38%) and Germany (+35%).  

These figures mark a revival of the tourist industry after many poor years following the political crisis that followed the 2011 revolution and the wave of terrorist attacks (the deadliest having occurred in 2015 in Sousse that led to the death of 39 people and in Bardo during which 21 people died).  

This year, the government expects the arrival of 8 million tourists; 7.1 million more than the arrivals recorded in 2014.

In Tunisia, tourism represents 8% of the GDP. It also provides jobs to millions of residents and constitutes an important source of income.