Bargain Mediterranean beach destination to introduce new daily charge for tourists

ALL holidaymakers heading to Tunisia will be forced to pay a new tourist tax under plans outlined by the country’s government.

The country is introducing a new levy for tourists who are on a package holiday.

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Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa and boasts a Mediterranean climate. 

From November 1, 2024, package holidaymakers staying at properties with a two-star rating or higher will need to pay an additional charge for their overnight stay.

The rate will vary depending on the type of accommodation tourists have booked, and it will range from 4 Tunisian Dinars (£1) to 12 Tunisian Dinars (£4) per night.

For example, holidaymakers who’ve booked to stay at a two-star hotel will need to pay 4 Tunisian Dinars (£1) per night.

Meanwhile, those staying at three-star hotels will be asked to pay 8 Tunisian Dinars (£2) per night, while four and five-star hotel stays will cost an additional 12 Tunisian Dinars (£3).

The nightly charge is valid for a maximum of 10 nights, which could add a hefty charge onto the price of holidays in the country.

Visitors aged 12 and older will also need to pay the new charge, meaning a family of four, travelling with two teenage children, could end up paying an additional £120 on the price of a two-week holiday.

The new levy will not be included within the cost of booking a holiday, instead tourists must pay their accommodation providers in the local currency.

Another iteration of the tax came into force earlier this year for those tourists who have booked their flights and hotels separately, with the same rates applying to all holidaymakers.

The new charge is a replacement of the country’s existing hotel tax, which applied to seven-night stays and only saw tourists paying a maximum of £1 per night per person.

Until the new tax comes into force on November 1, package holidaymakers will need to pay the hotel tax.

The Tunisian Government said: “The aim of this tax is to require foreign visitors to cover for their fair share when consuming or using subsidised products and services in Tunisia.”

Why Tunisia?

Tunisia has also been dubbed the “budget-friendly St Tropez” – making it a perfect spot for a pocket-friendly getaway.

The holiday destination is known for its sandy beaches, clear waters, unique cuisine, and being easy on the wallet.

The country has beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters; some of the most popular are Monastir and Hammamet.

Thanks to its nightlife, Hammamet is a popular Tunisian beach resort, so it’s perfect if you’re after a partying holiday with your mates.

Monastir is renowned for its endless miles of sandy beaches, ideal for a more relaxed holiday filled with sunbathing and chilling by the beach.

The best time to visit Tunisia for a beach holiday is between April and September.

You’ll find plenty of activities in Tunisia, including camel trekking, hot air balloon rides, sandboarding, snorkelling, and diving.

Earlier this year, Sun Travel visited the quaint seaside village of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia.

The charming town of Sidi Bou Said could easily be mistaken for Greece’s Santorini, but a three-course traditional Tunisian meal is £10 at its best-value restaurant, Café Restaurant Chargui, and a night’s stay at quaint bed and breakfast Boufares is £15.

The town offers stunning ocean views, and its streets are lined with immaculately painted white buildings, with doors and window shutters all the same shade of blue.

A tourist tax is also being imposed in the city of Portimão on Portugal’s Algarve coast.

Portimão’s Mayor Isilda Gomes said the tourist tax could raise “a few million euros” for the city.

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