Tourism plays a central role in Tunisia’s economy but faces mounting pressures from climate change and environmental degradation. To safeguard its future, Tunisia is advancing its National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism Development 2035, focusing on ecotourism, the blue economy, and the integration of Ecosystem Natural Capital Accounting (ENCA) and Tourism Satellite Accounts.

In this context, the World Bank’s Global Program on Sustainability, in collaboration with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, Tunisia’s Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, is organizing a Dissemination Workshop on the report on Diversifying Tunisia’s Sustainable Tourism Offer using Ecosystem Natural Capital Accounts and field visit to pilot oasis sites.

Objectives:

• Showcase how ecotourism and specifically oasis, can enhance local livelihoods while preserving fragile ecosystems;
• Share the results of the World Bank Technical Assistance on ecosystem accounting;
• Build partnerships among experts, policymakers, and stakeholders;

Expected Outcomes:

• Broader awareness and adoption of sustainable tourism tools;
• Strengthened collaboration across institutions and in the region;
• Enhanced visibility of Tunisia’s leadership in eco-friendly tourism.

This event is a key milestone in Tunisia’s journey toward resilient, community-driven, and environmentally responsible tourism.

Main Speakers :

His Excellency, Mr Habib ABI, Minister of environnement, Tunisia

‘’The value of land extends beyond timber or visible assets. It comprises the full suite of ecosystem services it delivers: provisioning services such as food and medicinal plants; regulating services like carbon sequestration; and cultural and supporting services, including microclimate regulation through shade. A comprehensive valuation must account for these multiple, often interlinked, benefits.” 

Mr. Nabil Ben Khatra, Executive Secretary, Sahara and Sahel Observatory

"Tourism is a key driver of the Tunisian economy but it also faces major environmental challenges. In response to these issues, it is no longer enough to merely adapt the existing model — we must rethink its foundations based on resilience, equity, and sustainability. 

This is precisely what this ambitious initiative proposes: establishing ecosystem accounting of natural capital — not as an end in itself, but as a tool to support decision-making, strategic planning, and the valuation of nature’s services. The results obtained are promising. They allow us to reach a new stage: that of ownership and operationalization.”

Mme Monia Chaouali, Representative of the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts

“The Ecosystem Natural Capital Accounting is an innovative and strategic tool that fully aligns with our collective ambition to transform the Tunisian tourism model — a sector that holds a significant place in the national economy and remains a major source of revenue and job creation.”

Ms. Sandrine JAUFFRET, Senior Natural Resources Management Specialist, World Bank, for Alexandre ARROBBIO, Country Manager for Tunisia, World Bank

“The 2035 Strategy for Sustainable Tourism aims to harness this potential by shifting from beach tourism to more diversified experiences focused on nature. In this context, ecotourism is a promising solution. Tunisia could leverage its rich natural resources, ecological zones, and cultural heritage to diversify its tourism beyond the coast. This would allow the country to reduce its environmental footprint and generate more resilient and inclusive growth in its rural areas.”