France Aligns With UK and More in Powering Tunisia Tourism Revenue Growth of Over 4% by September 2026 Amid Stronger Spending

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Tunisia’s tourism industry has recorded stronger financial performance in 2026, supported by visitors from the United Kingdom, France, and other international markets. Despite relatively stable tourist arrivals, tourism revenue reached TND 6.37 billion by the end of September 2026, representing an annual increase of approximately 4.5%. Higher visitor spending has emerged as an important factor behind this growth. Meanwhile, the UK has overtaken France to become Tunisia’s leading European tourism market, marking a historic shift in the country’s visitor demographics. With a target of more than 12 million tourists, further market diversification and improved international air connectivity are being prioritised.

Tunisia Tourism Revenue Reaches TND 6.37 Billion

A significant improvement in Tunisia tourism revenue has been recorded during the first nine months of 2026. According to figures attributed to the Central Bank of Tunisia, tourism receipts reached approximately TND 6.37 billion by 30 September.

An additional TND 272 million was generated compared with the corresponding period in 2025. This represented an annual increase of around 4.5%, highlighting the financial importance of international tourism. The growth has been achieved despite limited changes in overall visitor arrivals. Consequently, stronger spending has been identified as the primary contributor to the improved performance.

Tunisia Tourism Performance in 2026

United Kingdom Overtakes France in European Rankings

An important and historic change has been recorded in Tunisia’s European tourism market rankings in 2026, with the United Kingdom moving into the top position. British visitors have reportedly overtaken tourists from France, marking a notable development in the composition of European arrivals, as France had traditionally held the number one spot for most of the post-independence era.

The change highlights the growing significance of the UK within Tunisia’s international tourism sector, driven by expanded charter flight allocations and strong interest from British tour operators. For British holidaymakers, Tunisia offers Mediterranean beaches, historic towns, and cultural landmarks, benefiting from travellers seeking value alternatives to traditional European Mediterranean locations.

France Shifts to Second Position

While the United Kingdom has taken the lead, France remains a foundational pillar of Tunisia’s international tourism industry as the second-largest European source market. Tunisia’s Mediterranean coastline, shared linguistic ties, and established tourism infrastructure continue to provide strong appeal for French holidaymakers. Destinations such as Hammamet, Sousse, Djerba, and Tunis continue to provide an established and reliable European visitor base as efforts are made to attract travellers from additional markets. Poland and Germany also remain highly relevant European source markets.

Higher Spending and Ambitious Targets

One of the most significant developments in Tunisia tourism growth in 2026 has been the divergence between revenue performance and tourist arrivals. The figures point to an essentially stable visitor market through August, characterised by steady volume rather than explosive arrival growth. Meanwhile, tourism revenue increased by approximately 4.5% through September. This contrast suggests that greater average spending per tourist—across accommodation, restaurants, transport, and excursions—has contributed to the stronger financial performance.

Tunisia has established an ambitious objective of welcoming more than 12 million international visitors in 2026, following the approximately 11 million visitors recorded in 2025. Achieving this objective requires a meaningful increase in visitor numbers during the remaining months of the year.

Strategic Priorities and Future Opportunities

Beyond its established European markets, Tunisia is preparing to strengthen its international tourism reach. China, Russia, and Belarus have been identified among the markets being explored as part of the country’s diversification strategy. These markets could provide opportunities to attract visitors with different travel preferences and holiday patterns.

The development of international air connectivity remains an important priority for Tunisia’s tourism authorities to support efforts to reach these new source markets. With the final quarter of 2026 underway, the 4.5% increase in tourism revenue provides encouraging evidence of financial resilience. Ultimately, Tunisia’s tourism performance will depend not only on attracting more travellers but also on strengthening visitor experiences and generating sustainable economic value across its regions.