Rethinking the Tunisian tourism offer, promoting sustainable and immersive tourism and diversifying products to further promote the Tunisian destination, are the themes discussed during the DEMO TALK DAY on the “Specificity: Sustainable Tourism Edition” programme organised by the Carthage Business Angels Association (CBA).
“Specificity: Sustainable Tourism Edition” is the first acceleration programme specially dedicated to startups specialising in the sustainable tourism sector in Tunisia, Maher Kallel, organiser of the event and president of CBA, told TAP.
Among 154 applications received, 16 startups have been selected to benefit from training, coaching and 688 hours of specific and personalised support provided by 25 experts and mentors. Applicants have the opportunity to access funding under this programme, he said.
“These startups focus on the niche of immersive and sustainable tourism, which is a new concept in Tunisia different from the standards of classical tourism, aims to encourage tourists or even Tunisian citizens to live unusual experiences,” he explained.
“It is an innovative concept where startups supported by the Specificity programme have presented their ideas and projects within the framework of “DEMO – Pitchs”, essentially focusing on immersive experiences that allow for stays that are different from the classic products presented in Tunisia, especially for tourists who wish to discover places off the beaten track and who aspire to travel eco-responsibly.
“These tourists do not only want to visit a destination, but to live it”, he stressed.
The various speakers insisted on the need to rethink tourism practices and thus underlined the importance of sustainable tourism, which has been booming in the world for several years.
The main objective of this concept is to reduce the negative impact on the environment and local culture in order to preserve them while contributing to economic growth, job creation and the protection of ecosystems.
They also emphasised the importance of sustainable tourism as a vehicle for raising awareness and promoting positive behavioural change for biodiversity conservation among the millions of people who travel the globe each year.
The participants highlighted the cultural and historical wealth of Tunisia, which only needs to be exhibited and promoted.
In light of the innovations presented, the debate was an opportunity to identify the main lines of recommendations to promote a diversified, sustainable and innovative tourism offer in Tunisia.
Sustainable tourism is defined by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, by meeting the needs of visitors, professionals, the environment and host communities”.
It aims to balance the three pillars of sustainable development in the production and delivery of tourism activities.
“Specificity: Sustainable Tourism Edition” is part of the project “Promotion of Sustainable Tourism” which is a joint action between the European Union and
and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. This programme is implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP)