When asked to tour operators how is the sector in light of the news, they say they aspired to a season more or less able to salvage.
The reality is quite different. With the assassination of MP Mohamed Brahmi, explosions of roadside bombs, the killing of soldiers at Mount “Chaâmbi” acts of terrorism on tourism impact: The sector is in agony.
Mohmade Ali Toumi President of the Tunisian Federation of Travel Agencies (FTAV) reassures as much as possible. “There is almost no cancellations, with some groups in the tourism business framework. It also has problems with the Algerians and Italians. But what is alarming is the total suspension of bookings for the rest of the season. Zero sales, no more bookings! This is a very negative index “.
Although the government ensures that there is no direct impact on bookings in August and it is too early to assess the impact, sector operators laugh yellow this season that s’ announced already not very good because of Ramadan, the negative image of the country, the crisis in Europe, indications to avoid leaving the hotels, where the abstention to choose the destination.
Traders are particularly concerned because the killers are no longer content to targeted liquidations, they go to mass murder. They attack for example in La Goulette for its religious, but mainly because it is the beating heart of cruise tourism. Both say another threat is that its impact on the Tunisian economy which plunges to lowest with a stock collapses and an unprecedented drop of the dinar.
Mohamed is also shopping in Hammamet. From worried, he passes to panicked and desperate. He admits: “We were waiting for the Algerians. It was hoped that they will come but with this new assassination and recent events, it is good compromise! How will we cope? How will we feed our children and to wait until next season if indeed there … “.
Seasonal Tunisian tourism does most of its sales in the high season, ie July and August. The late season is often the difference in reserves businesses and pockets of nearly a million and a half people living in tourism. But it also seems compromised given the country’s political context. Between the school year looming hot and October 23, which will probably be very turbulent, season thalassotherapy, golfing and the cultural tourism already of great concern.
Thomas is realtor. His vision of the daily going in the same direction. He can not believe the white season: “I have only a few rentals that pay neither my loads  nor  can save my business. How do people go for seasonal rentals that are vital for their close budgets  of the year … “.
Farida arises as to her questions about the absence of Tunisians living abroad. Where are they? Why do not they come?
The general tourism pays a heavy price for the democratic transition . Some think Hammamet pay an even heavier price. Revenge of the time when the city was the darling of the old regime or consequences of some spectacular events such as hate preachers of radical Islamist protests?
Waiting to see more clearly, tourism operators have finished a month of lackluster July. It is, according Mouna Ben Halima hotel in Hammamet “the worst for over 30 years.” Sousse and Mahdia slightly better deal while Djerba and Zarzis dive and some appear to -50% over the past year.
Tunisian tourism has not stopped hitting bottom.
Now would it be decent to ask about its condition while much of the country rose against a democratic transition that takes the water?
Amel Djait
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