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HANDICRAFTS
The craft industry is one of the most dynamic sectors of the Tunisian
economy. It also represents one of the oldest professional activities and is well represented across the country.
The major branches of the craft industry are :
Textile crafts:
Essentially in Tunis (traditional costumes and carpets).
Ceramics:
Mainly in Jerba and Nabeul (clay pottery, enameled pottery...).
Leather: In
Tunis, Sfax, and Kebili.
Copper: Specialty
of Tunis and Kairouan (enameled, chiseled, or engraved). Jewelry: Goldsmiths in Tunis, silver costume jewelry in
Nabeul and Sfax, gold and solid silver in Mahdia and Sousse, and filigreed silver in Jerba.
Wood: Furniture
and traditional musical instruments in Ain Draham and Kelibia.
TOURISM FIGURES
The number of tourists increased in 1999 to
reach more than 5 million visitors. In 2005 more than 6,1 million visitors visited Tunisia.
Europeans, accounting for approximately 3.460 million visitors, continue
to be the major customers and make up 58,9% of the total number of tourists. Increases were particularly perceptible
among tourists from Germany (+17.2%), France (+26%) and Switzerland (+30.8%). Notable increases were also registered
in the numbers of Belgian, Spanish, Austrian, Scandinavian and Italian tourists. Visitors of other nationalities
also increased particularly American with an increase of about 9.3% and Japanese (+11.5). The tourism industry
in Tunisia generated the equivalent of 1.954 million dinars in foreign currency, an increase of 13.8% over 1998
and 2,331,3 in 2006. The share of tourism in total receipts from goods and services was 18.7% and average receipts
per night stay were 59 Tunisian Dinars, compared to 59.5 Dinars in 1998.
TOURISM OFFICES :
Lists of hotels and travel agencies are available at Tunisian National
Tourism Offices in all major European cities and in North America.
Listing of the Tunisian Tourism Offices around the world.
Source: Tunisian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts
(2000)
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