Tunisian Tourism Ministry launches a campaign to attract Algerians

Tunisian Tourism and Trade Ministry said here on Wednesday that it will launch a large campaign to encourage Algerian tourists to visit Tunisia following a decline in the number of Algerian tourists by 35% during the first quarter of 2011, Tunisia Press Agency quoted Kozi El Basli, representative of the National Office of Tourism in Algeria.

“This campaign will be launched in the Algerian media in order to reassure Algerian tourists about the security situation in our country. The campaign, which comes three months after the Tunisian Revolution, aims to urge over 350.000 Algerian tourists to visit Tunisia during the next months of June and July, through appropriations estimated at $500.000. The campaign’s program includes the organization a Rally from Annaba (east of Algeria) to Hammamet in reference to boost tourism the city’s hotels, 60 km south the capital.

Tunisia will participate in two exhibitions to be organized in Oran (west of Algeria) and Algiers between 12 and 21 April.

Previously, Tunisian Trade and Tourism Minister Mehdi Hawas said “Tunisia We will improve conditions of receiving Algerian tourists at the borders, especially for Algerian families who usually spend their holidays in Tunisia through providing security and exceptional offers. We will discuss a plan about opening maritime line linking Algeria and Tunisia during an official visit to Algeria in the coming days”.

“The maritime line between Algeria and Tunisia would help receive large numbers of Algerian tourists, especially during the summer season, noticing over one million and 600.000 Algerians who visited Tunisia in 2010. I will discuss the project with the Algerian government during the upcoming visit to Algeria. The Algerian tourist was the subject of attention by the Tunisian people and authorities even before the revolution and fall of the former regime due to the historical and brotherhood ties. Algerian tourists would feel more welcomed during the next stage through the allocation of a special campaign for them”, he added.

 “Tourism is important for the Tunisian economy which notices a sensitive transition following the revolution of January 14, just like economy of any country living a pro-revolution stage and events which change the regime. The Algerian tourists are important for the Tunisian tourism; we consider them as our brothers by virtue of the common history, geographical proximity, language, religion, customs, and family ties. We called upon all Algerians to keep their habits and spend more holidays in the Tunisian cities during the current year and take advantage of various offers that have been prepared specially for them”, he asserted.