Tunisia faces 40% drop in Algerian tourist arrivals

Tunisia is experiencing a significant decline in visitors from Algeria, its primary tourism market. Data from the National Tunisian Tourism Office (ONTT) shows that Algerian arrivals in September 2026 dropped to 290,678, a 40.1% decrease compared to the same month the previous year.

This downturn follows a similar trend in August, where arrivals fell by nearly 33%. For the first nine months of 2026, total arrivals from Algeria have decreased by 6.8% year-on-year. Analysts suggest this decline may be linked to new banking regulations in Algeria regarding tourist currency allocations, rising inflation, and a surge in domestic tourism within Algeria.

To mitigate these fluctuations, Tunisian tourism officials are looking toward market diversification. Strategies include targeting high-end Swiss travelers by expanding offerings beyond beach resorts to include cultural, gastronomic, and wellness tourism, such as thalassotherapy and visits to archaeological sites.