There are indications that the Maghreb tourism industry is growing rapidly after being hit by post September 11 fear and the implication of North Africans in international terror attacks. Major travel companies are already registering considerable increases in tourism to Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. Before the recent Sinai attacks, Egypt has been described as "the fastest growing holiday hot spot for 2004."
Tunisia did not suffer the major downturn in its tourist industry suffered by other countries in the Middle East and is recovering to pre-September 11 levels. Morocco, on the other hand, has been blighted by terrorism as a series of attacks on Casablanca made world headlines. Moroccans were implicated on the mega attack on Spain's train system.
The three North African countries yet have to present their own, national statistics on this summer season's developments in the tourism industry. Local media reports however suggest that the results presented by TUI are a good indication of trends this year. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
