British Companies Expand North Africa Programs as Egypt and Tunisia Rise
British visitors to Tunisia rose by 11% and to Egypt by 9.4%, reaching 838,000 between January and September, as TUI, Jet2, Saga, and Exodus expand their North Africa programs.
British travel companies recorded growth in demand for North African destinations, as travelers search for better value for money, winter warmth, and alternatives to traditional Mediterranean resorts.
Amy Tidball, Head of Planning, Pricing and Commercial Sales at TUI UK & Ireland, said North Africa has become a destination of choice rather than just an alternative to Europe, offering winter sun, good value, and high-quality all-inclusive hotels. She added that family bookings to the region for summer and winter 2026 have increased year-on-year, with particularly strong performance for Egypt, and that the company will launch flights from Gatwick to Djerba in summer 2027.
The Tunisian National Tourist Office reported an 11% rise in British visitors in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Fakhri Khalsi, its deputy director, said Jet2's expanded program and TUI's upcoming route to Djerba will help extend the season, while products from Saga Holidays and Exodus Adventure Travels will broaden Tunisia's appeal beyond beach tourism. British arrivals to Egypt reached 838,000 between January and September, a 9.4% increase, following a record year in 2025 according to the Egyptian Tourism Authority.
Emma Sowden, founder of Impala Adventure Travel, said similar holidays in Tunisia and Algeria cost at least 25 to 30% less, and five-star offerings were significantly cheaper. However, not all agencies recorded an increase; Tracey Clenshaw from Fred. Olsen Travel said the company had not seen a noticeable rise in North Africa bookings, and Ian Gilder from Adore Holidays & Cruises reported no additional demand compared to last year.
What Do These Terms Mean?
All-Inclusive Holiday: A travel package that typically includes flights, accommodation, meals, and drinks, making it easy to know the total cost in advance.
Charter Flights: Flights organized by tour operators to transport groups of travelers to a specific destination on set dates.
Extending the Season: Attracting visitors outside the usual peak season through new flights or programs to lengthen the period of tourism activity.
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