RESTORE TUNISIAN TOURISM POST REVOLUTION

Purpose – The actual research study aims to identify the negative impact of the Tunisian revolution on tourism to the country and the strategies implemented to overcome the crisis. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical research consists of the use of qualitative methods. The first stage was based on observation, and the second on interviews carried out with tourism professional bodies during the crisis. Findings – The findings suggest that the revolution has both, a negative and a positive impact on the image of Tunisia and on the tourism products. Besides, diverse strategies were implemented by the Tunisian Tourism Ministry, the Tunisian Tourism Board and the private sector to restore the destination, most of which are based on the country’s new positioning as ‘the place to be now’. Originality/value – This study was undertaken by the time of the crisis, and the qualitative data collected was based on real facts, which could be used as a starting point for future research on the post-crisis stage.