TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT IN TUNISIA

Economic liberalization policies, externally imposed structural requir ements, and Tunisia's comparative advantage have led the government to pursue tourism on a large scale. The growth of this sector has been p henomenal as evidenced by large scale hotel resort enclaves for Europe ans and supportive infrastructural commitments by government and the p rivate sector. The economic impact has been impressive in deficit redu ction, capital accumulation, and balance of trade, but shows a vulnera bility to the vicissitudes of international events. Despite economic g ains, Tunisian policymakers are faced with cost/benefit ratio decision due to social and environmental impacts and the clash between Islamic and European values.