Aviation liberalisation as a means of promoting international tourism: Comparing Morocco and Tunisia

The dynamics, in terms of air services and international leisure mobility (both of tourism and visits to friends and relatives [VFRs]), between the European Union (EU) and both Morocco and Tunisia, were compared. Indeed, the EU-Morocco market became liberalized after 2006. Significant dynamics then occurred on both the airline and travel sides. However, it is difficult to assess the extent to which aviation liberalization has been the cause of all of these changes. This suggests a comparison with the more regulated and more protected EU-Tunisia market. The results will be useful in light of negotiations to promote open-skies agreements.