Tunisian tourism had a record year in 2004, with 5,997,929 admissions, 11.3 % more than in 2001, the previous record year. Hard hit by the global crisis in the sector, but also by the consequences of the attack on the synagogue in Djerba (April 2002), Tunisian tourism has bounced back, even if the number of overnight stays and tourism revenues are still lower - by 6 % and 4.3% respectively - than they were in 2001.
The upturn in tourism, which still accounts for almost 6 % of Tunisia's GDP, can be attributed in particular to the increase in arrivals of Libyan and Algerian visitors, but also to the development of a number of niches in which Tunisia has specialised in recent years: golf, thalassotherapy, yachting, medical tourism, etc. There has also been a marked increase in the number of cruise passengers, which more than doubled between 1999 and 2003.
Keen to see its tourism offering move upmarket, Tunisia has launched a major modernisation plan affecting almost 800 of its hotel establishments, at a total cost of one billion euros. As quality does not exclude numbers, Tunisia is also increasing its reception capacity with the construction of the new Enfidha airport. When completed in 2008, this new airport, 75 km from Tunis, should be able to handle up to 30 million passengers a year.
