Tunisia Targets Chinese Outbound Tourism at COITM Beijing 2026: 28,000 Visitor Surge, 90-Day Visa Exemption & Air Transit Guide
The Tunisian National Tourist Office showcases Mediterranean resorts and Saharan heritage at COITM Beijing 2026 following a 19.3% surge in Chinese arrivals supported by 90-day visa-free entry.
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The Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT) is expanding its marketing campaign across mainland China, finalizing delegation plans for the China Outbound and Inbound International Travel Market (COITM) in Beijing from October 14 to 16, 2026.
Driven by a 90-day visa exemption policy enacted in September 2023, Chinese tourist arrivals to Tunisia reached nearly 28,000 visitors in 2025—a 19.3% year-over-year increase—with first-quarter 2026 arrivals expanding by an additional 12%. Tunisia's strategy at COITM focuses on connecting with Chinese tour operators, MICE planners, and customized itinerary designers to market North African heritage, Saharan luxury camps, and Mediterranean resorts.
Chinese Visitor Growth & Tourism Data Breakdown
Statistical data compiled by North African tourism agencies indicates accelerating interest from East Asian outbound travelers:
- 2025 Annual Arrivals: Tunisia hosted 27,850 Chinese tourists in 2025, up 19.3% from 2024.
- Q1 2026 Momentum: Inbound Chinese visitor arrivals rose 12% during the first quarter of 2026.
- Visa Exemption Policy: Introduced in September 2023, allowing eligible Chinese passport holders to enter Tunisia visa-free for up to 90 days.
- Hospitality Upgrades: Deployment of Mandarin-speaking licensed tour guides, integration of Chinese digital payment gateways (WeChat Pay and Alipay) across premier hotels, and customized culinary options.
- COITM Beijing Focus: Direct B2B negotiations targeting leisure groups, luxury Saharan itineraries (Tozeur, Douz), UNESCO Roman archaeological circuits (Carthage, El Jem), and coastal MICE destinations (Hammamet, Sousse).
| Metric / Tourism Benchmark | 2024 Baseline | 2025 Recorded Level | Q1 2026 Growth Trend | Key Policy / Operational Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Tourist Arrivals | 23,340 visitors | 27,850 visitors | +12% year-over-year Q1 | 90-day visa exemption policy |
| Year-over-Year Growth Rate | Base year | +19.3% annual increase | Sustained double-digit gain | COITM Beijing trade representation |
| Visa Requirement | Standard eVisa/Visa | 90-Day Visa-Free | 90-Day Visa-Free | Executed September 2023 mandate |
| Mandarin Tour Guide Roster | 35 certified guides | 85 certified guides | Active training expansion | ONTT tourism workforce initiative |
| Digital Payment Integration | Limited pilot venues | Major resort networks | Widespread hotel adoption | Acceptance of WeChat Pay & Alipay |
Air Transit Corridors: Connecting China to Tunis
While direct commercial flights between China and Tunisia remain under negotiation, established one-stop aviation hubs facilitate passenger traffic between major Chinese departure cities and North Africa:
[ CHINESE DEPARTURE HUBS ] [ NORTH AFRICAN GATEWAY ]
Beijing Capital / Daxing (PEK/PKX) ──► Connect Hubs ──► Tunis-Carthage Airport (TUN)
Shanghai Pudong (PVG) ──► IST / CDG ──► Hammamet Monastir Airport (MIR)
Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) ──► DOH / DXB ──► Djerba-Zarzis Airport (DJE)
Primary Connecting Hubs
- Istanbul Airport (IST): Turkish Airlines operates high-frequency flights connecting Shanghai (PVG), Beijing (PEK), and Guangzhou (CAN) with Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN) via 3-hour transit windows in Istanbul.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Air France and Tunisair provide multiple daily connecting flights between major Chinese centers and Tunis.
- Middle Eastern Hubs: Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH) and Emirates via Dubai (DXB) serve Chinese transit passengers connecting to North Africa.
Travel Logistics: 90-Day Visa-Free Rules & Heritage Circuits
TUNISIA VISITOR TRAVEL PROTOCOL
| 1. VISA STATUS : Visa-Free Entry for up to 90 Days (Chinese Citizens) |
|---|
| 2. ENTRY MANDATE : Valid Passport (6 Months) + Confirmed Hotel & Return Ticket |
| 3. AIRPORT TERMINAL : Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN) |
| 4. HERITAGE ROUTES : Carthage Ruins, El Jem Amphitheatre, Tozeur Sahara Camps |
Entry Conditions for Chinese Travelers
- Passport Validity: Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of departure from Tunisia.
- Mandatory Documentation: Border authorities require proof of a confirmed hotel reservation and a confirmed return flight ticket upon arrival at Tunis-Carthage (TUN), Monastir (MIR), or Djerba (DJE) airports.
- Stay Duration: Maximum visa-free stay is 90 consecutive days. Overstays require clearance through the Ministry of Interior.
Core Heritage & Desert Circuits
- Carthage & Sidi Bou Said: Located 20 minutes from central Tunis; features UNESCO Roman ruins and Mediterranean cliffside architecture.
- El Jem Amphitheatre: A 3rd-century Roman colosseum located between Sousse and Sfax, capable of holding 30,000 spectators.
- Tozeur & Douz Saharan Gateway: Desert oasis regions offering luxury glamping, dune tours, and film location visits across Star Wars filming sites at Ong Jmel.
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