The 2017 ITB ASIA Exhibition held from 25th to 27th October 2018 in Singapore has kept its promise, at least for the Tunisian participation which has discovered that not only the destination is expected but that the demand is far reaching.
Back in details with all participants in this show through interviews-express. The testimonies reveal the importance of the market, the expectations of Asians and the perception of Tunisia by another part of the world.
By Amel DJAIT
Omar Riahi, Director of The Tunisian Federation of Travel Agencies (FTAV): “The recent cancellation of visas has had an immediate impact”
Thanks to GIZ, ONTT and FTH for this outstanding participation at ITB ASIA 2017. The Asian presence was massive on the stand. There were at least a hundred visitors every day. They wanted to know more about visa procedures and accessibility and air travel. Visitors also wanted to know more about culture, places to go and activities to do there. Participants want to know the destination and discover products such as leisure, hotels, … Another big surprise of the show, the strong interest of Indian operators. The flow of their demands surprised us. The recent visa cancellation had an immediate impact ”
Moufida Ameur, Managing Director Barcleys Travel Groups: “Asia is ready for Tunisia destination”
My agency specializes in the “special interest” that we sell on Gulf countries, USA, Asia … During ITB ASIA, I realized that there is great potential. I met serious people who absolutely want to program Tunisia. Here, the demand is precise: 5 days of circuit to discover the cultural Tunisia. The demand is also and especially for the desert, the archeological sites and the immersion. The Asian operators I met do not seek the sea or shopping. They want programs of at least 150 US Dollars of expenses per day. During the show, I met more than thirty operators from Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, …… I must admit that I expected this request and I would say that Asia is ready for the Tunisia, at least for groups.
Mouna Abdelhalim, Commercial and Marketing Director at La Cigale Tabarka Hotel: “We must invest Asia by working digitally for and with them”
I am very pleasantly surprised by the interest for the destination Tunisia, which I clearly describe as palpable. On the show, we had a large number of contacts and they must be worked and converted but they undoubtedly express a real interest. The contacts have made circuit requests and are looking for DMC. All are automatically informed about the air service. The contacts we had came mainly from India, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore.
Asian customers are different in terms of expectations. They are looking for experiences to live and want to know a country in all its aspects. Asians are curious and respectful of the traditions and culture of the countries they visit. … In terms of length of stay, we are on a circuit optics including at least 2 nights. Tunisia would be on the program of a mini visit to mix with other destinations including Morocco, Malta and Greece.
The last point to mention is the great digital culture of the operators and by extension of the travelers. We must understand that in Asia, a large part of the market have their own social networks and that if we want to reach the influencers, we must be digitally present on their supports.
Slim Dimassi, General Manager of The Holya Beach Hotel and Regional President of the Tunisian Federation of Hotels in Monastir (FTH): “It is urgent to create an ASIA service at ONTT and to provide it with resources in line with the potential
The show is a great opportunity to probe the Asian market and today we can really demand a service at the level of state structures to deal exclusively. We must keep an eye on the competition, which although not present at this show, and what it deploys as means, approaches, investments to position itself in these issuing markets. It must be said that the market is still virgin, but it is changing very quickly. At this stage, we need expertise, and I thank GIZ for the provision of experts who have accompanied us since the beginning of this action plan. To enter this market, we need efficient travel agencies, alternative offers and real know-how.
Narjess Bouasker, Member of the Executive Board of the Tunisian Federation of Hotels (FTH) and General Manager of Hotel Menara: “If the efforts made during ITB ASIA are maintained, we will do a very good job”
I welcome the excellent collaboration between the professions and the administration under the support of International Cooperation, GIZ. We have evolved closely and in perfect team and I guarantee you that if the efforts made here are maintained, and in the same spirit, we will do a very good job. On this show, I must admit that I am greatly surprised by the attraction that there is for Africa in general and for North Africa including Tunisia. The operators I met seize the opportunity that the destination offers. They are already operational and ask how to concretely work and do business.
Another point to remember during this first action, understand that Asia is not only China. The Indians were very present and expressed incredible interest. There were also a lot of operators from Korea, Singapore, … There is really a need to understand the specificities of each market. Apart from the questions of visas and accessibility, the operators asked how to dress, what stays to combine with Tunisia, is there an offer of religious tourism or “hallal”?
Finally, the virgin market compared to the cheap image and sold off Tunisia suffers on other issuing markets. The opportunity is indeed to be seized because the Asian issuing markets are in demand of new tourist destinations cultural and exotic.
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