Tunisia -UNESCO World Heritage Route, a new cultural circuit to diversify tourist offer in Tunisia

The 3rd thematic route of the “Promotion of Sustainable Tourism” project was set up following a strategic workshop held in Tunis. The event was attended by representatives of the Tunisian Tourism Ministry, the Tunisian National Tourism Office (ONTT), the Cultural Affairs Ministry, the National Institute of Heritage (INP), the Agency for the Enhancement of Heritage and Cultural Promotion (AMVPPC ) and the Directorate General of Organic Agriculture (DGAB).

This is the 3rd circuit after the Culinary and Cinematographic Routes developed as part of diversifying the Tunisian tourist product.

During the workshop, participants agreed to name this road the “UNESCO World Heritage Route” and validate its action plan, reads a statement of GIZ on Tuesday. This choice emanates from a common vision focusing on promoting an ancestral heritage. The goal is to achieve an inclusive and local economy which fosters the promotion of community identity, the inclusion of traditional knowledge, the conservation of biodiversity and geodiversity, the same source said.

The itinerary of the road will pass through the following eight physical assets: the Amphitheater of El Jem, the archaeological site of Carthage, Dougga and Kairouan, the Medina of Sousse and Tunis, the Punic town of Kerkouane and its necropolis as well as Ichkeul National Park.

The enhancement of Charfia on the Island of Kerkennah and that of the know-how linked to the pottery of the women of Sejnane are intangible elements linked to a specific local place.

The UNESCO World Heritage Route will highlight Tunisia’s UNESCO heritage so as to foster competitiveness on European and international markets. This will help attract local and international tourists and improve the economic and social well-being of local communities, especially women and young people by developing sustainable income-generating actions.

As part of the development of this route, members of the strategic committee supported by GIZ will implement the following sub-projects, activities and actions;

1- Promote the “UNESCO World Heritage Route” through the 8 regions across Tunisia by implementing a marketing strategy and communication activities through promotional movies, informative and promotional materials, trips dedicated to foreign journalists…

2- Strengthen the capacity of stakeholders in charge of heritage sites so as to ensure better management of heritage and reception of tourists

3- Highlight heritage sites

4- Encourage and support youth initiatives for the launch of innovative projects of mutual interest so as to enrich visits made by tourists in and around the sites

5- Ensure the marketing of the new product through international partnerships

The UNESCO World Heritage Route is supported by the project “Promotion of Sustainable Tourism” – a joint action of the European Union within the framework of its “Tounes Wijhetouna” programme and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ ), implemented by GIZ Tunisia in partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism.

(TAP)