U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome joined the Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts Mr. Mohamed Moez Belhassine today at the Sbeitla archeological site in Kasserine to launch the $50 million Visit Tunisia project funded by the U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Visit Tunisia is a five-year project designed to help Tunisia’s vital tourism sector rebound through public-private sector partnerships and digital innovations that will capitalize on the country’s rich natural, cultural, and historical heritage. This USG investment has the potential of generating 15,000 new sustainable tourism-related jobs in underserved communities across Tunisia.
Through Visit Tunisia, the U.S. government will work with the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts to design and promote experience-based tourism activities beyond the coast, with goal of drawing new international tourists to areas of Tunisia that are often overlooked. Activities will integrate the perspectives of women and youth as local tourism strategies are developed and broad access to small business support will be available.
Visit Tunisia will place a special focus on year-round experiences to encourage tourism arrivals beyond the narrow summer season. Expanding tourism offerings will lead to an increase in the number of tour operators selling Tunisia as a destination, and an increase in visitor spending by 20 percent. Targets include an increase in arrivals to 11.5 million by 2026.
Ambassador Remarks
Minister of Tourism Belhassine, Governor Mabrouk, everyone, good morning.
I’m happy to be with you here today in beautiful Kasserine to officially launch Visit Tunisia, the U.S. Government’s new $50 million tourism project.
Visit Tunisia will be developing tourism products and services beyond the coastal regions, as well as upgrading tourist destinations, such as this magnificent site here in Sbeitla.
Visit Tunisia will be developing tourism products and services beyond the coastal regions, as well as upgrading tourist destinations, such as this magnificent site here in Sbeitla.
The project will allow the Government of Tunisia to welcome 11.5 million tourists by 2026, increase investment and revenues by 20 percent and facilitate 15,000 new jobs in Tunisia’s alternative tourism sector.
The U.S. Government is committed to driving economic growth and creating jobs. We have directly supported more than 19,000 at risk businesses from COVID-19. Our investments have supported historical preservation programs at El Jem and Oudhna. Thanks to our support of the National Handicrafts Office, the United States is now the number one market for Tunisian Handicrafts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the tourism sector. Visit Tunisia is a visible commitment from the U.S. Government to assist in the recovery and long-term growth of this critical sector of the economy which employs more than 400,000 Tunisians across the country.
Forward leaning projects, such as Visit Tunisia, capitalize on the country’s rich and unique natural, cultural, and historical endowments. Thank you.
Ambassador Remarks at the Visit Tunisia Launch Event in Sbeitla
Minister of Tourism Belhassine, Governor Mabrouk, everyone, good morning.
I’m happy to be with you here today in beautiful Kasserine to officially launch Visit Tunisia, the U.S. Government’s new $50 million tourism project.
Visit Tunisia will be developing tourism products and services beyond the coastal regions, as well as upgrading tourist destinations, such as this magnificent site
here in Sbeitla.
Visit Tunisia will be developing tourism products and services beyond the coastal regions, as well as upgrading tourist destinations, such as this magnificent site here in Sbeitla.
The project will allow the Government of Tunisia to welcome 11.5 million tourists by 2026, increase investment and revenues by 20 percent and facilitate 15,000 new jobs in Tunisia’s alternative tourism sector.
The U.S. Government is committed to driving economic growth and creating jobs. We have directly supported more than 19,000 at risk businesses from COVID-19. Our investments have supported historical preservation programs at El Jem and Oudhna. Thanks to our support of the National Handicrafts Office, the United States is now the number one market for Tunisian Handicrafts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the tourism sector. Visit Tunisia is a visible commitment from the U.S. Government to assist in the recovery and long-term growth of this critical sector of the economy which employs more than 400,000 Tunisians across the country.
Forward leaning projects, such as Visit Tunisia, capitalize on the country’s rich and unique natural, cultural, and historical endowments. Thank you.
