[Maghrebia] The Tunisian revolution emptied nearly all tourist sites, hotels and cafes. But people who work in the sector expect a speedy recovery, envisioning a brighter future for the tourism industry."Thanks to the revolution, our country is now famous in the whole world. I believe that was the best publicity. I want to tell our friends that now they can come to Tunisia in an ambience of peace and freedom," Tourism Minister Mehdi Houas said at a February 9th presser.
Though tourism revenues dropped by around 40% in January, the minister expressed optimism about the first six months of the year. The number of European tourists dropped from 98,958 in January 2010 to 59,689 this year and that of Maghreb visitors decreased by nearly half.
Despite the drop-off, the Tunisian revolution will have a positive impact on the future of the tourism sector, according to marketing and tourism specialist Noureddine Salmi.
"I am optimistic. I am convinced that this peaceful revolution is a historic opportunity for a true breakthrough for the Tunisian tourism," Salmi added.
Salmi called for the adoption of a new marketing strategy that steers clear from the traditional reliance on images of the sea and sun. He said a new advertising campaign was needed to highlight Tunisia as the birthplace of the first peaceful Arab revolution, a country of free people, and of security and democracy.
The country has already launched the "I love Tunisia" campaign utilising the internet, social networking sites and other tools of the revolution to attract visitors.
Tourism is the country's biggest source of foreign currency. With nearly 400,000 people working in the sector, it is also the nation's second largest employer. However,
The over-used
However...
the dramatic drop in visitors during the past few months alarmed many working in the industry.
