Tunisia : Specificity acceleration program dedicated to startups specializing in sustainable tourism

  • 20 March 2023 / News / 265 / Admin-23


Tunisia : Specificity acceleration program dedicated to startups specializing in sustainable tourism
Rethinking the Tunisian tourist offer, promoting sustainable and immersive tourism and diversifying products to further promote Tunisia as a destination, these are the themes discussed during the “ DEMO TALK DAY” day on the “Specificity: Sustainable Tourism Edition” program organized by the Carthage Business Angels Association (CBA).
This is the first acceleration program specially dedicated to startups specializing in the sustainable tourism sector in Tunisia, said Maher Kallel, event organizer and president of CBA.
Among 154 applications received, 16 startups were selected to benefit from training, coaching and 688 hours of specific and personalized support granted by 25 experts and mentors. Applicants have the opportunity to access funding under this program, he said.
“These startups presented focus on the niche of immersive and sustainable tourism, which constitutes a new concept in Tunisia different from the standards of traditional tourism, aims to encourage tourists or even Tunisian citizens to live extraordinary experiences”, a- he explained.
“This is an innovative concept where the startups supported under the Specificity pu program presented their ideas and projects within the framework of “DEMO – Pitchs” focusing essentially on immersive experiences to ensure stays that 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 no longer just want to visit a destination, but to experience it," he added.
The various speakers insisted on the need to rethink tourist practices and thus underlined the importance of sustainable tourism, which has been booming in the world in recent years.
And to recall that 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 emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism, which is a real vehicle for raising awareness and promoting real positive change in behavior for the conservation of biodiversity among the millions of people who travel the globe each year. .
The participants highlighted the cultural and historical richness of Tunisia which only asks to be exposed and valued.
In the light of the innovations presented, the debate was an opportunity to identify areas of recommendations to promote a diversified, sustainable and innovative tourist offer in Tunisia.
Sustainable tourism is defined by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, meeting the needs of visitors, professionals, the environment and host communities”.
It aims for a balance between the three pillars of sustainable development in the production and realization of tourist activities.
“Specificity: Sustainable Tourism Edition” is part of the Promotion of Sustainable Tourism project which is a joint action between the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. This program is implemented by GIZ in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.

source: thd.tn