Let’s go ! The first steps of hikers have officially taken the “Trans Tunisia Trekking Trail” route. And this during yesterday evening, Wednesday June 26, 2024, where we officially tested this route from Zaghouan, one of the key segments of the tourist trail.
The project was implemented by Leaders International and is supported by the “Promotion of Sustainable Tourism” project. This is a project developed by the Ministry of Tourism and Crafts, which is part of its “Tounes Wijhetouna” program, which is supported by GIZ and jointly financed by the German Federal Ministry of the Economic Cooperation and Development Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and by the European Union in Tunisia.
This project, note the organizers, essentially aims to promote and grow Tunisia’s alternative and sustainable tourism products on the one hand and their contribution to creating employment and, by extension, a new economic dynamic. Indeed, by strengthening the tourism offer and improving the quality of products and services offered through alternative tourism activities, Tunisia can only emerge as a winner. And this, in more than one way. Because the implementation of such an approach that is at the same time clean, ecological, innovative, in line with demand and respectful of technological, environmental and climatic requirements, all while strengthening the capacities of actors working in the alternative tourism sector, we let’s serve the economy, tourism, technology, the environment and employment at the same time! A real godsend for a country which until then seemed struggling to be able to restart.
Moreover, it is in support of this project that we included the Ministers of Tourism and Sports as well as the Governor of Zaghouan among the members of the group of first hikers who took the first steps on the “Trans Tunisia Trekking Trail” route. The walking event also welcomed officials from the ministries concerned, members of the steering committee, members of the DMO Board of Directors, tourism commissioners from the different regions concerned, partners and beneficiaries of the project from the different regions concerned. All in marching gear, the presence was all fired up to go on an adventure.
In this context, Ms. Catherine Gara, member of the GIZ, revealed at the microphone of Réalités Online that she felt especially enthusiastic about taking this route and admiring the beauty of the terrain and that of the sunset.
Top, go!
The start bell sounded at 6 p.m. in Zaghouan. The trip lasted about two hours on the road where the hikers had the privilege of driving and walking surrounded by nature, refueling with oxygen, breathing clean air and contemplating magnificently beautiful landscapes. Arriving at the campsite shortly before sunset, around 8 p.m., they set up their tent and their camping equipment.
It was then an opportunity to question Ms. Fatma Bennour, director of the Leaders International office in Tunisia and head of the “Trans Tunisia Trekking Trail” project, about the particularities of this project. “This is a four-pronged development project for a hiking route. The first focuses on the marking and development of the road which goes from Tabarka to Nabeul via Kef and Zaghouan. The second focuses on supporting tourist experiences, whether on the road or in connected regions. The third has a rather cultural aspect since it involves the development of four promotional films from the four aforementioned regions. And the last component focuses on the promotion of tourist experiences and the promotion of projects carried out by young and old for sustainable tourism in these regions. And this, in particular through the creation of a website and a mobile application which allows foreigners and Tunisians alike to discover this route, possibly take it and live the experience of spending a stay in each of the regions representing a segment on the road enjoying, along the way, multiple landscapes that take your breath away with their beauty,” she says. And our interlocutor clarified that today, the young entrepreneurs were able to meet the ministers and multiple officials during the hike and the campsite, which allowed the young project leaders to discuss their ideas here, in Zaghouan, renowned as the capital. ecological tourism.
To finish beautifully
All products used here are “eco-friendly”. The campsite has been environmentally friendly where nature is respected and preserved. While being lulled in a warm atmosphere of a wood fire, the participants prepared dinner themselves. The campsite then transformed into a mega open-air picnic where the aromas of trees and plants mingled with those of the barbecues. And the green colors of the salads and fruits blended into a generous nature sparkling with life. It was around 10 p.m. that the presence packed up to return to Tunis.
Nature lovers, concerned about a dignified and possible tomorrow, want and ask for more of such projects!
* Edited by: Abir CHEMLI
*Journalistic work, production and editing: Riadh Sahli
