Tunisia attends International French Travel Market

Tourism Minister Elyes Fakhfakh led the Tunisian delegation to the International French Travel Market "Top Resa," organised in Paris, on September 18-21, and gathering over 4,000 exhibitors and international trademarks. France is still Tunisia's first supplying market (+ 31% compared to 2011), with 774,000 tourists. About one million and a hundred thousand French tourists are expected to visit Tunisia by the end of 2012. "Top Resa" is an occasion for Tunisian professionals and their foreign partners to evaluate the 2012 season, which recorded the arrival of over four million tourists to Tunisia (8 months), i.e., +35% compared with 2011, and -14% compared with 2010. Mr. Fakhfakh discussed on the occasion, with French Handicrafts, Trade and Tourism Minister Sylvia Pinel means to "boost bilateral relations in the tourism field." During his meeting with heads of French tour operators which market Tunisia's destination, the tourism minister enquired about the French partners' programmes and commitments towards Tunisia and the booking state for the winter of 2012-2013. The French tour operators laid emphasis on the security conditions which is an essential basis in the choice of a destination. In another connection, stress was particularly put on the promotion and marketing of the Tunisian South, through vanguard promotional actions supported by air carrier companies.