The number of Russian tourists to visit Tunisia in 2012 is expected to rise by 30%, up 230,000, according to estimates made by Russian tour operators working on Tunisia’s destination.
This positive indicator was announced during the working sessions, held on Friday, between Russian tour operators and Tourism Minister Elyes Fakhfakh, who is visiting Russia as part of Tunisia’s participation in the International Travel Fair, “Intourmarket.”
This event gathers 1,200 exhibitors from 145 countries and is attended by 80,000 international professional visitors, a Tourism Ministry statement said.
At Tunisia’s stand, Mr. Fakhfakh discussed with Russian Tourism Minister Vitaly Mytko who was escorted by World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, prospects for bilateral cooperation in the tourist field.
Mr. Fakhfakh said the next joint committee’s meeting, scheduled for this year in Tunisia, will be an opportunity to further boost cooperation between the two countries, the statement adds.
At a news conference held on the occasion, the tourism minister briefed the Russian journalists about the improving security conditions in Tunisia and prospects for the Tunisian tourism development.
He recalled that Russian tourists who had chosen the Tunisia destination had reached 152,000 in 2011, compared with 188,000 in 2010, i.e., a 19% drop.
