Preface
Tourism is a key part of Tunisia’s growing services economy and has been an important source of job creation, export revenue and domestic value added for years. The industry was hit hard by the depth and duration of the crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis aggravated new and existing structural weaknesses. It also highlighted the need for tourism to be better prepared to respond, adapt and recover from future shocks. As the sector navigates these challenges, steadfast and transformative action is required to drive its recovery and to set it on a path to a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive future.
Initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, the “National Tourism Strategy 2035” was developed in 2022 to support the recovery that has begun to take root and serve as a framework for developing a tourism industry that celebrates Tunisia’s rich cultural heritage, preserves the environment, and benefits Tunisian businesses, citizens and tourists alike.
Crucial to the success of that strategy will be a pro-competitive regulatory framework that reduces or eliminates unnecessary costs and maximises the industry’s flexibility.
The European Union and the OECD are keen supporters of this effort. This report is the result of a competition assessment project, developed within the EU’s Programme d’Appui à la Gouvernance Economique (PAGE), aiming to improve the business climate and revive investment. The project was conducted in close consultation with the Ministry of Tourism and other local stakeholders.
The project identified rules and regulations that may hinder the competitive and efficient functioning of markets in the country’s tourism sector. It assessed 163 legal texts and made 351 recommendations for reform. These recommendations address persistent structural constraints in the sector, reduce barriers to entry and promote a more level playing field for the benefit of the industry, Tunisia’s broader economy, and society at large.
If these recommendations are fully implemented, Tunisia can expect to improve the functioning of its tourism industry and reap benefits such as lower prices for consumers, increased competitiveness and dynamism across the sector as well as the economy, improved rates of job creation, and an increased gross domestic product growth estimated at 1.2%.
The Ministry of Tourism, the EU and the OECD are certain that this joint undertaking will make a valuable contribution to reform efforts to put Tunisia on a sustainable growth trajectory by enhancing its competitiveness, stimulating productivity and promoting inclusive economic growth and formal job creation. We look forward to working together towards the implementation of the assessment’s recommendations.
Minister of tourism and handicraft, Republic of Tunisia
