Tourism Minister Elyes Fakhfakh is paying a visit to the United Kingdom to promote the Tunisia destination in major European tourist- provider markets.
In conjunction with his visit, Mr. Fakhfakh discussed with British officials on ways to increase the flow of British tourists to Tunisia, the Tourism Ministry said in a statement released Wednesday.
During his meeting with British Minister of Tourism and Heritage John Penrose, Mr. Fakhfakh stressed the support brought by the British Government to revive tourism in Tunisia.
He reminded that “the UK was the first European country to lift travel restrictions on British tourists’ visits to Tunisia just after the Revolution.”
He also gave an overview of the current situation of the country, pointing to the improved security conditions and the climate of confidence and transparency prevailing now in the country.
The British minister was invited to the International Forum on Mediterranean Tourism to be held next April 16-17 in Djerba, in association with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said the same source.
Mr. Fakhfakh also had talks with Mrs. Nikki White, Head of Sustainability and Destinations at the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) whose annual conference is scheduled in Tunisia in 2013.
The British association brings together more than 5,500 British travel agents and 900 tour operators.
The flow of British tourists fell by 36% last year.
Only 227,400 British tourists visited Tunisia in 2011 compared to 353,300 the year before.
