Tunisia has much to show Australian Visitors says Ambassador Noureddine Haced in TravelMole interview exclusive

The Ambassador of Tunisia to Japan, Noureddine Ben Farhat Hached visited Sydney last week, with TravelMole the only consumer or travel industry publication in Australia given the privilege of interviewing His Excellency who is also accredited as the Ambassador of Tunisia to Australia.

The primary purpose of the Ambassador’s first visit was to meet members of the NSW Government and the private sector and to discuss matters of mutual interest between the two countries. 

H.E. President Zine El Abidine has decided to enhance the relationship with Australia and build a new partnership in the fields of economics and higher education and sciences.  As well, it’s the intent to increase parliamentary and political consultations and visits.  Today, Tunisia is a secure and hospitable country, he said.

Last year the independent, 10 million population North African nation located between Algeria and Libya received some four million tourists from Europe and another 2 ½ million from North African neighbours and Gulf countries.

Australians may not be aware of how easy it is to reach Tunisia especially with airlines from the Gulf like Emirates and Etihad, he said.

Tunisia can be combined with a destination in the Gulf or Europe.  The Tunisian capital of Tunis is just 50 minutes from Rome or two hours from Paris so we are close to Europe, he added.

With 40 years of experience, Tunisia has reached a high level of tourism development, said Mr Hached who during more than 30 years of public service has held roles as varied as the Minister of Labor and the Vice-Secretary General of the League of Arab States, the Executive Secretary of the OAU and the ambassadorship to many countries.

[Pictured: Ambassador Noureddine Haced intends to introduce Tunisia to Australia with a series of roadshow promotions next year.]

We have a minimum of 100,000 rooms to meet the needs of visitors coming to Tunisia for a wide range of holiday interests, he said.

Tunisia is well equipped for golf tourism with 10 – 12 courses in the country.  One unusual course allows golfers to play amid the dunes. 

Interest in spa tourism is also increasing and we have well equipped hot springs.  Medical tourism is coming up quickly and we have high-level medical doctors and excellent equipment and clinics, he said. 

There is surging interest in cosmetic surgery which Ambassador Haced says “costs 90 per cent less than European treatments”. 

The country has also developed its cruise and yachting industries and has a number of marinas dotting its 1300 km long coastline. 

Cultural tourism is still an important market segment with the ruins of Carthage drawing many visitors into this historic site in suburban Tunis.  Dougga, for instance, has the largest Roman ruins in Tunisia. 

“Kairouan, Mahdia, Eljem, Sousse and Tunis are noted for their Islamic monuments and souks [markets].  Sidi Bousaid is one of the ‘Pearls of the Mediterranean Sea’,” he said.

Festivals like the upcoming Desert Festival in the Sahara in December also draw visitors interested to see the life of the traditional Berber people, he noted. 

Internal transport links continue to improve in Tunisia.  We opened a new highway last month from the north to Sfax, he said.    

A new international airport 80 km from Tunis and near Sousse (Engida) is nearing completion.  This will be “one of the biggest airports in Africa and a hub for international flights”, he added.

The Ambassador set out several concrete ideas to stimulate the Australian market including participating in a series of roadshows and receptions in major centres next year.

As well he wants to take part in major travel exhibitions.  We would like to set up information booths at these events and present fashion shows, cuisine and traditional Tunisian music, he added.

A collection of rare cultural artefacts from Tunisia is set to tour seven cities in Japan and the Ambassador would like to see this exhibit tour major centres in Australia. 

“I think it’s one of the best ways to promote the region and for the people of Australia to get to know this small country named Tunisia,” he said. 

Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor