TUNIS - Minister of Tourism Slim Tlatli Thursday paid a working visit to France where he led the Tunisian delegation to the World Tourism Fair, "the World in Paris" held on March 17-20, 2010. Over a hundred thousand visitors are expected at the third edition of this fair.
The Minister inaugurated, in the presence of several Tunisian professionals, the Tunisian stand which includes spaces housing the tourist regions of the country as well as air companies representing the national flag.
Mr. Tlatli also conferred with chief officials of French tour operators which market Tunisia, particularly Mr. Henri Giscard D'Estaing, President of Club Med, Mr. Denis Wathier, Chief Executive of Thomas Cook, Mr. Antoine Cachin, President of Fram-voyages, Mr. Patrice Caradec, CEO of "Look Voyages" as well as officials of Tunisian operators established in France.
During the talks, the minister was briefed on French partners' programmes regarding the site of Tunisia, the situation of booking and prospects for the high season.
Mr. Tlatli conferred, on the sidelines of the fair, with Mr. Patrick De Carolis, President of "France Télévision." He praised the excellent relations between Tunisia and the different channels of France Television Group.
Actually, several major television programmes of these French channels have been devoted to multifaceted aspects of Tunisian tourism such as " Thalassa" in October 2009 and " Echappées Belles" on France 5 in November 2009.
The programme " des Racines et des Ailes," to be aired next April 28, 2010 in prime time (08:30 pm) will be totally dedicated to Tunisia.
The Minister also held working sessions with Messrs. George Colson, Chairman of the National Union of French Tour Operators, and Rene Chikli, President of the Circle of Studies of the French Tour Operators (CETO).
The French market has been for the past four years the first European tourist-provider market to Tunisia with 1 344 000 French tourists in 2009, representing a penetration rate of 10.5% of the Tunisian tourism on this market. This rate is considered as a performance by French tour operators who expressed their willingness to further engage in favour of the Tunisian destination.
© Agence Tunis Afrique Presse 2010
