Tunisia Sees Over Five Million Arrivals By July Marking Double-digit Growth From 2024 And Positioning The Country For A Record-breaking Tourism Year

Tunisia’s tourism sector is witnessing a powerful resurgence in 2025, with over five million visitors by July—driven by rising global demand, strong regional markets like Europe and the Maghreb, increased hotel occupancy, and surging tourism revenues. This upward trend signals a full recovery beyond pre-pandemic levels and highlights Tunisia’s growing appeal as a top travel destination.

Tunisia’s Booming Tourism Sector Sees Double-Digit Growth in 2025 With Over 5.2 Million Visitors by July

Tunisia’s tourism industry is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in 2025, driven by surging international arrivals, increased revenues, and strong domestic activity. As of July 20, the country had welcomed approximately 5.297 million tourists, reflecting a 9.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This figure also exceeds the pre-pandemic benchmark of 2019 by an impressive 16.2%, underscoring the sector’s recovery momentum and Tunisia’s rising global appeal.

The tourism recovery is not just visible in visitor numbers but also in the revenue generated and jobs supported. In 2024, Tunisia recorded around 9.7 million tourist arrivals, up from 9.37 million the previous year. Tourism revenues surpassed TND 7.05 billion (approximately $2.2 billion), growing by 7.8% year-on-year. This sector played a pivotal role in the national economy, contributing around 9% to Tunisia’s GDP and supporting nearly 400,000 jobs across hospitality, transportation, and other services linked to travel.

In 2025, the performance continues to impress. Based on data from the Central Bank of Tunisia, tourism revenues have already reached TND 3.998 billion (around $1.28 billion) by mid-July, showing an 8.2% rise compared to the same period in the previous year. Hotel occupancy rates have also climbed steadily, registering 12.36 million overnight stays—a 7.1% increase year-on-year—with an average occupancy rate of 35.3%, which is 2.1 percentage points higher than in 2024.

European travelers remain a dominant force in Tunisia’s inbound tourism. The European market experienced a 10.7% increase, attracting 1.592 million visitors. France continued to be a major contributor, posting a 9.6% rise in tourist arrivals. The United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, saw a remarkable 46.9% increase, while Italy’s numbers rose by 11.6%. Other notable increases included Switzerland with 17.6% growth and Ireland with a massive 97% jump, indicating a sharp rise in interest from these regions.

Meanwhile, the Maghreb region also played a crucial role in driving growth. The total number of tourists from the Maghreb reached 2.748 million—a 9.8% increase from the previous year. Algeria led this segment with 1.459 million tourists, closely followed by Libya with 1.246 million. These neighboring countries continue to contribute significantly to Tunisia’s tourism ecosystem, facilitated by geographical proximity and cultural ties.

Beyond these dominant regions, other international markets are also showing positive trends. The United States registered a 4.9% rise, while Canada increased by 7.5%. Notably, China posted a 15% growth rate, reflecting expanding interest from the Asian market and the gradual normalization of outbound travel in the post-pandemic era.

Domestic tourism is also emerging as a crucial pillar of the country’s travel industry. It now represents around 30% of total tourism activity, showcasing how local travelers are contributing to the sector’s dynamism. To support this growth, authorities plan to introduce a digital hotel booking platform specifically for Tunisian citizens. This step aims to streamline travel planning and enhance accessibility for domestic tourists, especially during peak seasons and public holidays.

Additionally, tourism-related investments are showing robust momentum. By the end of July 2025, investment intentions in the tourism sector reached TND 943 million, already surpassing the full-year total for 2024. This surge reflects investor confidence in Tunisia’s tourism potential and the government’s continued efforts to improve infrastructure, enhance service quality, and diversify tourism offerings.

The outlook for the remainder of 2025 is highly optimistic. If current trends continue, Tunisia may attract up to 11 million tourists by the end of the year. This would not only set a new national record but also mark a major milestone in the country’s post-pandemic recovery journey. The combination of strong international interest, rising domestic participation, and increasing financial inflows paints a bright picture for Tunisia’s tourism future.

As Tunisia reclaims its status as a premier destination for sun, culture, and history in the Mediterranean region, the current trajectory indicates a tourism revival that is not just sustainable but transformative.

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