ECONOMY-TOURISM: Head of State chairs cabinet meeting on tourism sector

[Kris]

* A series of measures to boost the tourism sector and develop its performance

* Working out a strategic study for the promotion of tourism by 2016

- President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali stressed, at a cabinet meeting on the tourism sector held on Friday, the need to boost the performance of this sector by improving the quality of services and intensifying marketing operations in such a manner as to offset the decrease posted at the level of traditional markets, in addition to the necessity to work to intensify the tourist product and prospect new markets.

The meeting reviewed the major indicators of the tourist sector and measures to be taken to boost the sector and develop its performance. It decided, to this effect, the measures that follow:

- Improve the marketing strategy, notably in the main traditional markets by adopting contracts by objectives with major tour operators.

- Work out specific programmes targeting the traditional markets which have witnessed a noticeable decrease and endeavour to attract a high-yielding tourism, in association with world marketing networks.

- Speed up the pace of the upgrading programme of hotel units, in such a manner as to guarantee the quality of the tourist product and work, concurrently, to take more interest in the improvement of the tourist environment and training.

- Address the file of the indebtedness of hotel units which are facing difficulties and encourage investment funds to purchase these units.

- Identify the weaknesses and take necessary measures in each case.

- See to it to ensure the management of hotel units by specialised professional executives.

- Carry out regular opinion polls among tourists on their departure from the country.


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