Tourism Professionals Sound the Alarm
3 June 2011
Read by 1768 persons
A press conference was held on Thursday, June 2, 2011, at the Golden Tulip Mechtel Hotel, organized by the Tunisian Federation of Hotels (FTH) and the Federation of Travel Agencies (FTAV), in the presence of Mohamed Belajouza, president of the FTH, Tahar Saihi, president of the FTAV, and several tourism professionals.
Indeed, tourism professionals are at an impasse. Tourists are still avoiding Tunisia as a destination. While the peak season has normally begun, Tunisian hotels are still empty and cancellations continue. Therefore, there is no visibility; they are completely in the dark.
However, hoteliers and travel agencies are not asking for government aid. What they are requesting is a postponement of deadlines: a rescheduling of their debts (4 billion dinars in bank debt for FTH members) and payment facilities for STEG and SONEDE bills.
Since the revolution, professionals explain that the authorities have promised them many things, but nothing has happened. On the other hand, the number of closed hotels and travel agencies is increasing. Boubaker Bouzrara, a professional from Sousse, sounded the alarm: "Many families depend on this sector. Of 104 establishments in Sousse and Kantaoui, 30 have closed. 5,000 jobs are currently threatened, while 5,000 people who were supposed to return to work have not because of the economic situation."
For the Djerba-Zarzis area, Jalel Bouchiha specified that of the region's 76 hotels, 27 have closed, with a 50% decrease in overnight stays and arrivals compared to a year earlier.
Habib Bouslama, for his part, highlighted the importance of the tourism sector, which represents 6% of GDP and on which many other areas depend. For example, he indicated that the tourism sector consumes 20 million liters of milk per year. He also admitted that the Tunisian tourism product was relatively weak, unable to withstand changes (revolution, attacks, or others). He also stressed that the Tunisian media frighten tourists by reporting on sit-ins, strikes, and news events!
Regarding domestic tourism, Afif Kchouk indicated that the Tunisian market is third after France and Germany, ahead of Italy, with 3 million overnight stays in 2009, or 8% of the total. Therefore, the Tunisian market is important, but Tunisians should go through a travel agency to take advantage of the price reductions, which are currently between 25 and 90 dinars per night. Indeed, according to tourism professionals, the same prices are applied to foreigners and Tunisians, except that foreigners benefit from wholesale prices imposed by tour operators with whom they have annual contracts. So, by going through a travel agency, local residents also benefit from the wholesale prices offered to travel agencies.
Mr. Kchouk also explained that the prices displayed on some websites are "introductory prices... a deception." He also justified the behavior of some people working in the tourism sector towards Tunisians: "You know the behavior of the local tourist."
Regarding pilgrimages to holy places, agencies want to liberalize this sector. They want to negotiate prices themselves and choose products according to their clients' financial capacities. This liberalization would make it possible to establish the basis for fair competition, which can only benefit pilgrims, explains Mr. Saihi.
Concerning the promotion of Tunisia as a destination, Mr. Belajouza indicated that the budget of 20 million, allocated for this purpose, is insufficient. This budget comes 50% from the state and 50% from professionals. The president of the FTH proposes that all stakeholders participate (taxis, rental agencies, etc.).
Note that several issues concerning professionals were also discussed, such as the preparation of a code of ethics, the establishment of a specification sheet, discussions with the UGTT, etc.
Published June 2, 2011
Posted online June 3, 2011
businessnews.com.tn
Indeed, tourism professionals are at an impasse. Tourists are still avoiding Tunisia as a destination. While the peak season has normally begun, Tunisian hotels are still empty and cancellations continue. Therefore, there is no visibility; they are completely in the dark.
However, hoteliers and travel agencies are not asking for government aid. What they are requesting is a postponement of deadlines: a rescheduling of their debts (4 billion dinars in bank debt for FTH members) and payment facilities for STEG and SONEDE bills.
Since the revolution, professionals explain that the authorities have promised them many things, but nothing has happened. On the other hand, the number of closed hotels and travel agencies is increasing. Boubaker Bouzrara, a professional from Sousse, sounded the alarm: "Many families depend on this sector. Of 104 establishments in Sousse and Kantaoui, 30 have closed. 5,000 jobs are currently threatened, while 5,000 people who were supposed to return to work have not because of the economic situation."
For the Djerba-Zarzis area, Jalel Bouchiha specified that of the region's 76 hotels, 27 have closed, with a 50% decrease in overnight stays and arrivals compared to a year earlier.
Habib Bouslama, for his part, highlighted the importance of the tourism sector, which represents 6% of GDP and on which many other areas depend. For example, he indicated that the tourism sector consumes 20 million liters of milk per year. He also admitted that the Tunisian tourism product was relatively weak, unable to withstand changes (revolution, attacks, or others). He also stressed that the Tunisian media frighten tourists by reporting on sit-ins, strikes, and news events!
Regarding domestic tourism, Afif Kchouk indicated that the Tunisian market is third after France and Germany, ahead of Italy, with 3 million overnight stays in 2009, or 8% of the total. Therefore, the Tunisian market is important, but Tunisians should go through a travel agency to take advantage of the price reductions, which are currently between 25 and 90 dinars per night. Indeed, according to tourism professionals, the same prices are applied to foreigners and Tunisians, except that foreigners benefit from wholesale prices imposed by tour operators with whom they have annual contracts. So, by going through a travel agency, local residents also benefit from the wholesale prices offered to travel agencies.
Mr. Kchouk also explained that the prices displayed on some websites are "introductory prices... a deception." He also justified the behavior of some people working in the tourism sector towards Tunisians: "You know the behavior of the local tourist."
Regarding pilgrimages to holy places, agencies want to liberalize this sector. They want to negotiate prices themselves and choose products according to their clients' financial capacities. This liberalization would make it possible to establish the basis for fair competition, which can only benefit pilgrims, explains Mr. Saihi.
Concerning the promotion of Tunisia as a destination, Mr. Belajouza indicated that the budget of 20 million, allocated for this purpose, is insufficient. This budget comes 50% from the state and 50% from professionals. The president of the FTH proposes that all stakeholders participate (taxis, rental agencies, etc.).
Note that several issues concerning professionals were also discussed, such as the preparation of a code of ethics, the establishment of a specification sheet, discussions with the UGTT, etc.
Published June 2, 2011
Posted online June 3, 2011
businessnews.com.tn
