Tourism is as soon as once more the most important pillar of the Tunisian economic system, contributing to the state earnings by way of 3,352 billion dinars (nearly 1 bln euros) within the first part of 2026, which is up by way of 8.3 p.c from the similar length remaining 12 months.
Consistent with the Central Financial institution of Tunisia (BCT), the rise in comparison to the similar length remaining 12 months accounted for 255,6 billion dinars (76 million euros). The Financial institution emphasizes that tourism is likely one of the maximum necessary sectors for the present financial restoration.
The selection of vacationers in spring used to be upper than in the similar length remaining 12 months, with a specifically notable influx of Eu guests. Additionally, the standard vacationer seasons are returning, which additionally has a favorable affect at the tourism earnings.
Tourism: Tunisia’s 2d-Biggest Supply of Overseas Foreign money
Tourism is the second-highest supply of foreign currency echange for Tunisia after remittances from Tunisians dwelling out of the country.
The 2 in combination accounted for 7,758 billion dinars (2,31 billion euros) within the first part of 2026. Tourism earnings on my own got here to a few,352 billion dinars (994 million euros), up 8.3 p.c from 3,096 billion dinars in January-June 2025.
Remittances from Tunisians reached 4,405 billion dinars (1,31 billion euros) within the first part of 2026, up 210 billion dinars from the similar length remaining 12 months.
Tourism and remittances in combination have an enormous affect at the steadiness of bills as they’re used to finance imports and repay exterior debt.
One of the crucial statistics that perfect signify the present state of affairs is related to the protection of exterior bills with revenues from tourism. Consistent with the BCT, as of June 30, 2026, the amount of cash required for debt servicing (overlaying hobby bills and repayments of matured debt) amounted to 4,233 billion dinars.
Of this, tourism earnings on my own has lined 89.3 p.c – just about 994 billion dinars. On the identical time, with the addition of remittances, protection of exterior bills reached 183 p.c.
It is very important observe that in spite of the prime protection, it does no longer imply that Tunisia’s exterior debt has been diminished by way of 80 p.c or extra. Actually, the 4,233 billion dinars (1,24 billion euros) of debt servicing refers handiest to duties for overlaying hobby and compensation of matured liabilities.
The debt shares themselves, that are duties to repay essential, are a number of instances upper. On the other hand, the aid of this indicator is ensured by way of the rise in exports and, specifically, tourism revenues.
Reserves and Financial Coverage
The price of the foreign currencies reserves, that have been used to repay exterior debt, confirmed a slight lower as of July 3, 2026. Thus, the web overseas belongings of the Central Financial institution (the primary a part of the foreign currencies reserves) amounted to 24,54 billion dinars. That is 97 days’ price of imports, in comparison to 100 days’ price as of July 3, 2025.
Economists don’t see quick dangers to the stableness of the foreign money and the economic system as a complete, and at the present time, crucial process is to verify strong revenues in onerous foreign money.
As well as, the Central Financial institution continues to offer an easing of financial coverage. Thus, the overall quantity of financing to the banking gadget has lowered by way of greater than 4 billion dinars to ten,54 billion dinars as of July 3. The important thing rate of interest additionally stays at 6,99 p.c.
In spite of the certain developments, economists observe that for now, essentially the most urgent factor for the government stays the want to give a boost to public budget and the present account, in addition to cut back the dependence of the rustic on exterior financing. The development of those spaces may also be ensured by way of the expansion of the tourism earnings and the give a boost to of the influx of remittances from Tunisians. With the coming of the height season and the possibility of additional expansion of revenues, the tourism sector will proceed to be key to the industrial expansion and building of Tunisia.
