The conference “Innovate Tunisia: Tourism and Creative Industries” was held on May 29, 2025, at the Mövenpick Hotel Gammarth, as part of the projects TANIT – Transition towards Alternative, Inclusive, and Sustainable Tourism in Tunisia and ECF – Euromed Clusters Forward, implemented by Leaders International with the financial support of the European Union, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts and with Creative Tunisia.
This flagship event was dedicated to the promotion of sustainable, inclusive, and creative tourism, while showcasing the richness of the Tunisian cultural landscape through alternative tourism and creative industries. It brought together the contributions of several key initiatives, including Creative Tunisia, a national flagship program supporting creative value chains. All the clusters and design hubs visited during the event were in fact developed under this program.
A Dynamic of Regional Exchange and Cooperation
The conference was preceded by two immersive days featuring visits to clusters and creative hubs, along with professional meetings. These activities enabled Tunisian creative industry stakeholders to strengthen ties with international clusters, MENA-region companies, and local organizations.
These exchanges, made possible by the positive synergies between Creative Tunisia, ECF, and TANIT, promoted the development of partnerships, the sharing of best practices, and access to new markets in the fields of alternative tourism, design, and creative entrepreneurship.
A Platform for Inclusion, Creativity, and Collaboration
Innovate Tunisia also marked the official launch of TANIT CONNECT, a platform dedicated to Tunisian civil society organizations active in sustainable tourism, thereby strengthening regional cooperation, cross-border initiatives, and citizen engagement in transforming Tunisia’s tourism model.
Throughout the event, panels and thematic workshops brought together civil society representatives, stakeholders from the creative and tourism ecosystems, public decision-makers, and international partners to address the following themes:
- Tourism & Creative Industries – Unlocking Synergies for Sustainable Growth
- Finding Value, Building Destinations – Challenges and Opportunities
- Breaking Barriers – Women Shaping the Future of Creative Industries and Tourism
- The Voice of Civil Society Shaping the Future of Creative Industries and Tourism
A dynamic B2B exhibition was also organized to promote commercial exchanges and collaboration opportunities between tourism and creative economy stakeholders in Tunisia.
A Convergence of Projects Supported by the European Union
On this occasion, Ms. Fatma Ben Nour, Country Manager – Tunisia at Leaders International, stated:
“Innovate Tunisia stands at the intersection of three complementary dynamics supported by the European Union: the Euromed Clusters Forward project, which fosters clustering across the Mediterranean; the TANIT project, which empowers civil society organizations working in sustainable tourism; and Creative Tunisia, which structures and scales creative sectors with strong cultural potential.”
She added:
“This event offers an immersive experience at the crossroads of tourism and creative industries, revealing how these sectors shape economies, identities, and opportunities—with the voices of Tunisia and the wider MENA region guiding the reflection.”
Doctor. Dina Zabaneh, Project Manager at Leaders International, also emphasized:
“The significance of the TANIT and ECF projects lies in their territorial grounding and the support of the European Union. This day is the culmination of fieldwork in several Tunisian cities, aimed at highlighting the importance of culture and traditional know-how in enhancing Tunisia’s tourism appeal.”
She concluded:
“Through field visits to Mahdia, Moknine, Denden, and Nabeul, we chose to highlight the richness of traditional crafts—painting, ceramics, weaving—and the remarkable initiatives led by women, who are true agents of change and cultural ambassadors of Tunisia.”
