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Tunisia's steady tourism industry improving after 2015 terror attack

Tunisia

Tunisia’s tourism industry seems to be improving since the terror attack of 2015.

The country expects to attract over half a million foreign tourists this year, after a decline in revenues by 35 percent to $1.5 billion.

[DAILY EXPRESS]: Tunisia insists it expects more than FIVE MILLION foreign tourists despite beach massacre: TU… https://t.co/pwbNmlsTzk

— Daily Express UK (@dailyexpressuk) April 20, 2016

The country’s Tourism Ministry says after improving security at hotels and focusing on new markets, the industry appears to have been resuscitated. A development reflected by an increase in airline bookings.

“If you just take a walk, you will see that you are safe in Tunisia. Since the first terrorist attack in March 2015, we took many measures to secure the country, the people, the tourists, the airports, tourism facilities,” said Salma Elloumi Rekik, Tunisia’s Minister of Tourism.

She added that the country has reached “agreements with the European Union, and with specific countries such as Germany, France and Britain. New security standards are now mandatory and not voluntary. (As a hotel manager,) You can no longer choose anymore whether to apply it or not, you will have to apply it in the institution, the administration and anywhere else.”

The fall in tourism revenues contributed to a slowdown in economic growth to 0.8 percent from 2.3 percent a year earlier, according to official data.

The Minister said more than 100 hotels have closed since the Sousse attack, while some foreign tour groups have cancelled some routes, cruises and packages.

Armed tourism police continue to patrol hotels and tourist sites. And the wounds of the past seem to be healing naturally.

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