Maghreb New Year: What Does the Celebration for Tourists in Tunisia Look Like?
Maghreb winter, Tunisia. Celebrating the New Year in North Africa − what does it actually look like? The weather, entertainment, parties… It’s a complete mystery for many Europeans.
We decided to ask Irina Boukadida, the Tunisia Destination Manager at Carthage Group, about the recently held New Year celebrations and get an answer to this intriguing question.
Irina, guests from which country are you going to talk about to illustrate the opportunities available to European tourists during the winter holidays in North Africa?
In December and January, Tunisia welcomes guests from various regions of the world. Travelers from Western Europe enjoy celebrating Christmas here, organizing festivities according to their tastes and traditions. Whether it’s a quiet family gathering or a lively party, everyone chooses what suits them best.
As for New Year’s celebrations, a good example of holiday vacations would be the winter trips of tourists from Bulgaria. For several seasons now, we have been hosting guests from this country who arrive through the major Bulgarian tour operator, Emerald Travel.
How long do winter holidays in Tunisia last for such travelers?
Guests from Bulgaria usually spend 5-6 days with us. And it’s worth noting that this is a very active vacation. Bulgarian tourists can certainly be described as restless even in summer, but what happens in winter impresses even our most experienced staff members, those who have been working in the tourism industry for many years.
What is it about Bulgarian tourists that wins the hearts of tourism and hospitality professionals?
Let me explain with numbers, I think it will all become clear.
Imagine this: it’s December 28. A group of Bulgarian guests arrives at 1:00 PM. By 4:00 PM, they’re already gathering for an informational meeting. On December 29, the very next day, they’re off on an excursion to Uthina and Zaghouan. On December 30, they set out for the Sahara.
They return on the 31st, celebrate New Year’s Eve, not partying all night, but certainly until about 2:00 AM, and early on the morning of January 1, they’re heading to Carthage!
Believe me, this isn’t an exaggeration but an actual schedule of how Bulgarian tourists spend their time vacationing in Tunisia. They truly are impressive.
Yes, such a thirst for new experiences is truly inspiring. These are people with the spirit of true travelers. And it’s easy to understand the strong enthusiasm for excursions among Bulgarian guests because Tunisia is indeed a fascinating country.
Absolutely. We offer travelers a wide range of excursion programs featuring visits to many truly iconic landmarks.
For instance, the already mentioned «Uthina – Zaghouan» tour provides an opportunity to see the city where Roman veteran legionaries spent their days. Plus, visitors can marvel at the ancient Water Temple, whose reservoir is shaped like the infinity symbol, it’s an exceptionally unique sight.
Then, there’s the Sahara. Guests can explore cave dwellings of the troglodytes, meet the Berbers, and watch the sunrise over a vast salt flat. The itinerary also includes monuments from the Roman Empire, Islamic shrines, and even a «cosmic» detour to the filming locations of the iconic Star Wars.
And, of course, there’s Carthage, which is legendary and awe-inspiring. We introduce our guests to this city through various programs: they can join the «Three Capitals» tour, which includes visits to the stunning white-and-blue Sidi Bou Said and Tunisia’s capital, or opt for a journey that also features a stop at the magnificent Bardo National Museum.
And this, of course, is far from the full list of excursions offered by Carthage Group.
Which excursions are the most popular during the holiday season?
Last New Year’s holidays, the Sahara was a hit with Bulgarian travelers, it was a true bestseller. This year, the bestseller was Carthage, visited by over 60% of tourists from Bulgaria, which is a remarkably high percentage.
However, in fact, a wide variety of programs are in demand. On January 1 alone, we arranged four different excursions: our guests visited Carthage, Uthina and Zaghouan, took a sightseeing tour of the cities of Sousse and Monastir, and explored Friguia Park.
Do tourists from other countries show a level of enthusiasm for excursions comparable to that of Bulgarian guests?
For the second year, we’ve been hosting guests from Romania who arrive through the tour operator Christian Tour. In terms of activity, Romanians are nearly as engaged as Bulgarians, except for not going on excursions on December 31.
This is understandable, their trips last slightly longer, not 5-6 days but a full week. As a result, they take a day to enjoy a festive atmosphere and relax. The rest of the time, Romanian travelers follow a similarly busy schedule as their Bulgarian counterparts.
Do large groups of tourists arrive from Bulgaria and Romania?
This year, three flights arrived from Bulgaria for New Year’s: one from Sofia and two from Varna, bringing approximately 400 guests.
As for Romania, 127 tourists flew in for the New Year holidays. This is particularly encouraging, as it’s 2.5 times more than last year, when we hosted 50 Romanian travelers. Let’s just say, Romanians are steadily increasing their presence in Tunisia during the New Year season.
What, besides excursions, attracts travelers to Tunisia in winter?
Swimming in the sea isn’t particularly appealing at this time of year, as the average air temperature hovers around 15-18°C. As a result, excursions take center stage and, of course, thalassotherapy.
Thalassotherapy offers support for treating a wide range of health issues, boosting immunity, rejuvenating and beautifying the body, and, most importantly, providing complete relaxation, helping visitors fully unwind and relieve accumulated stress. Tunisian thalassotherapy centers are renowned far beyond the country’s borders.
Many of our Bulgarian guests, whose winter holidays we’re using as an example, stayed at Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5* and Royal Azur Thalassa 5*, where they had the opportunity to undergo professional treatments at the thalassotherapy centers within these hotels.
Speaking of hotels, where were the New Year’s Eve parties for Bulgarian tourists held?
Our Bulgarian guests were accommodated in hotels from the Novostar, Iberostar, and Medina chains. However, most travelers from Bulgaria stayed at the Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5*, which was personally chosen by the owners of the tour operator Emerald Travel during their visit to Tunisia last year. The second most popular hotel for Bulgarian tourists was Royal Azur Thalassa 5*.
It was in these two hotels, Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5* and Royal Azur Thalassa 5*, that the New Year’s Eve celebrations for Bulgarian guests were organized.
We would definitely like to know how the New Year party at Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5* went. After all, this is the first and so far the only hotel of the flagship brand Hilton Hotels & Resorts in Tunisia. What does it offer its guests in general?
Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5* is located in the resort area of Skanes Monastir. It boasts a prime beachfront location with a private beach, crystal-clear water, and soft golden sand, though these features are, of course, more relevant in summer.
In winter, other advantages of this hotel come into focus and deserve closer attention. It is practically brand-new: the old hotel that previously stood on this site was demolished down to the foundation and rebuilt entirely. The result is fresh rooms with Hilton’s signature quality, featuring their special beds, mattresses, and other unique touches.
The hotel offers excellent restaurants with high-quality dining, a new thalassotherapy center with well-curated and relatively affordable treatments: prices here are lower than in Sousse or Hammamet. It also has outstanding MICE infrastructure, including several conference halls designed for various group sizes. For instance, the hall where the New Year’s Eve celebration took place can comfortably accommodate 300 guests (we seated 200 Bulgarian tourists in a spacious and comfortable layout).
The conference halls at Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5* are fully equipped with everything needed for professional meetings, corporate events, or family celebrations. During the New Year’s Eve party, we used the hotel’s audio and video equipment to display a countdown to midnight on a large screen.
What was the New Year’s Eve program at Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5?*
This was the second year we implemented a New Year’s program by Emerald Travel. Last year, a female quartet from Bulgaria performed for the guests, while this time, the festive show featured a folk singer from Bulgaria. Tourists listened to traditional Bulgarian songs, held hands, and danced; it was a lot of fun.
The host of the celebration at Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5* was Gergana Stoyanova, the golden voice of Bulgaria, an actress, and a beloved celebrity among her compatriots. Gergana was magnificent: she made plenty of jokes and hosted engaging contests that our guests eagerly participated in.
At midnight, right after the clock struck twelve, we played the Bulgarian national anthem, and guests received champagne as a gift from us and the hotel. This was followed by a disco with a DJ from Bulgaria.
Carthage Group also contributed performers. For instance, during the cocktail hour before the party, a violinist entertained our guests. Just before the New Year countdown, we invited a Tunisian folklore group to perform, and their dynamic, vibrant show really energized the crowd.
An event of this level, like our New Year’s Eve party with international tourists, was held at Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort 5* for the first time. It was a significant debut for the hotel, and they put in a lot of effort. As a result, it turned out wonderfully.
How was the celebration at the second venue, Royal Azur Thalassa 5?*
The party at Royal Azur Thalassa 5* was not Bulgarian-themed but instead featured a local Tunisian style. For many years, similar New Year’s shows in Tunisian hotels have showcased performers of varying renown, including some genuine stars of the Tunisian entertainment scene.
It’s worth noting that among the travelers, in this case, Bulgarians, there are plenty who enjoy this type of celebration. They experience Bulgarian traditions at home, so in Tunisia, they look for something fresh and unusual.
Are there Bulgarian guests who visit Tunisia more than once?
Yes, absolutely. Some even return for New Year’s, not to mention summer trips. There are travelers who keep coming back, who love this country, and it’s incredibly rewarding for us to see familiar faces.
They arrive, greet the guides like old friends, and visit the places they’ve grown to love and consider their own. I think this is a very good sign, and the best possible recognition of our work.
What does New Year’s look like for travelers in Egypt? We’ll be sure to tell you all about it in one of our upcoming articles, don’t miss it!
