DMO Tunis Carthage is an ambitious project, supported by innovative governance and a strong commitment from local stakeholders, with the aim of making the region a key tourist destination in the Mediterranean
The prestigious Ennejma Ezzahra Palace in Sidi Bou Saïd played host to the official launch of ‘Destination Tunis Carthage’ on May 21, 2024. This iconic monument, formerly the home of Baron d’Erlanger, is not only an architectural symbol of Sidi Bou Saïd but also a major cultural centre for the region. The event marked the creation of the DMO Tunis-Carthage (Destination Management Organisation), an autonomous body dedicated to promoting, developing and managing this strategic Mediterranean tourist destination.
United Carthage boasts a rich and varied mix of history, culture, gastronomy and nightlife. The destination is home to world-renowned historic sites such as the Medina of Tunis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the archaeological site of Carthage. In addition to its ancient heritage, Tunis-Carthage is a modern and dynamic city, famous for its diverse nightlife.
Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Mohamed Moez Belhassine, stressed that the five Tunisian DMOs aim to increase the competitiveness of regional tourism offerings and their international influence. He also stressed the importance of enhancing the attractiveness of the Tunis Medina and promoting the image of Tunis-Carthage worldwide.
The project is designed to offer memorable experiences to tourists, while at the same time promoting historical and cultural gems such as the thousand-year-old civilisation of Carthage and the contemporary effervescence of Sidi Bou Saïd. By respecting the environment and heritage for future generations, the Tunis Carthage DMO aims to restore the region’s prestige and attract visitors from all over the world.
The DMO Tunis Carthage is chaired by Skander Mestiri and with Sonia Ben Mahmoud Khouaj as Executive Director. This unique governance model brings together public and private players in the tourism sector. This combination means that expertise can be pooled for an effective promotional strategy. The Tunis Carthage DMO acts like an orchestra conductor, bringing together all the players in the tourism industry to ensure optimum collaboration. This structure works in perfect symbiosis with historic bodies in Tunisian tourism such as the Tunisian Federation of Travel Agencies (FTAV), the Tunisian Hotel Federation (FTH) and other sector federations.
The DMO is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, with the Agence de Mise en Valeur du Patrimoine et de Promotion Culturelle (AMVPPC) sitting on the Board of Directors. This institutional support will enable the DMO to promote the historical and cultural assets of Tunis-Carthage.
The Tunis Carthage DMO is supported by the ‘Promotion of Sustainable Tourism’ project, implemented with the support of GIZ and funded jointly by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union as part of the ‘Tounes Wijhetouna’ programme.
The launch of ‘Destination Tunis Carthage’ and the creation of the DMO mark a new stage in the development of tourism in Tunisia. There are currently five DMOs in Tunisia (Tunis Carthage, Dahar, Djerba, Zaghouan and Mahdia), the aim of which is to increase the competitiveness of regional tourism offerings and raise the profile of destinations nationally and internationally.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
