Tunisia Way

Tunis , March 6, 2008 (TunisiaOnline) --Tunisian tourist professionals are leaving no stone unturned in order to re-conquer the German Market which has witnessed a slump of 6% in 2007.

This determination to boost Tunisian tourism in Germany , was echoed by Tunisia 's tourism Minister Mr Khelil Lajimi who told the official Tunisian Press Agency, TAP on Thursday that “we shall re-conquer the German market with the means available to us”.

The statement was made in Berlin during the Berlin International Tourism Bourse (ITB) which runs from March 5 to 9, 2008 . Tunisia is taking an active part in the Bourse, thanks to a strong delegation, as well as an original stand which has not gone unnoticed by visitors.

The Tunisian stand which is spread over an impressive 300 square meters is designed in the shape of the interior of a traditional Tunisian house. In the main patio, five areas are devoted to specific tourist destinations within Tunisia , in addition to the presence of 4 craftsmen including a pottery maker, a chiseller, a mosaic specialist, and a tattooist which exhibit traditional samples of Tunisian handicrafts. ‘Niche tourism' such as golf and spa tourism will also be represented.

Ways of boosting the flow of German tourists to Tunisia were suggested during talks between 71 Tunisian tour operators and German travel agents. Representatives of Tunisia 's three airline companies, “Tunisair”, “Nouvel Air” and “Karthago Airlines” also took part in the discussions.

Out of the 5 million dinars earmarked to boost the tourist sector, 1, 5 million have specifically been allocated to the German market. The money will go to advertising, and a greater visibility of Tunisia as a tourist destination in all great German cities, as well as in specialized and large scale publications.

It is worth pointing out that Germany represents for Tunisia the second European market after France .

In 2007, German tourists spent 480 million dinars in Tunisia , an increase of 5,6% in comparison with 2006.