An app that allows you to discover the country on foot is born.

Discover Tunisia by walking, enjoying nature and meeting local communities. This is the philosophy behind the new Trans-Tunisia Trekking Trail app, an initiative that aims to promote sustainable tourism in the country by offering hiking trails, eco-friendly accommodation and authentic experiences away from mass tourism. The app is part of the “Promoting Sustainable Tourism” project, implemented by the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts with the support of Leaders International and the Tounes Wijhetouna (Creative Tunisia) program, and jointly financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The platform is based on “La route des randonnées” or “The Road of Paths”, a network that maps new hiking routes from north to south, crossing natural and cultural landscapes. From the Zaghouan Mountains to Sidi Jedidi, passing rural villages and protected areas, the routes invite travelers to explore an authentic side of Tunisia, in harmony with the environment and with respect for local communities.

Each stop is designed to offer immersive experiences: tastings of typical products, craft workshops, stays in accommodation run by local families and hikes through oases and mountains. In total, almost 100 experiences are already available on the digital app, which aims to create a virtuous circle that strengthens the rural economy and redistributes the benefits of tourism to less visited areas. The project responds to a growing global trend: the search for “slow” tourism that respects the local environment and traditions. In a country with a diverse landscape – from the dunes of the Sahara to the forests of the north to Roman and Punic archaeological sites – the digitalization of hiking routes represents a strategic turning point for the Tunisian tourism sector, hit hard by the pandemic crisis and climate challenges.

The Tunisian tourism sector is experiencing a strong recovery, recording double-digit growth in several key metrics in 2025. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Tunisia welcomed about 5.3 million visitors from January 1 to July 20, an increase of 9.8 percent compared to the same period last year. At the same time, revenue also increased significantly and reached almost 1.2 billion euros (+8.2 percent), while the number of hotel overnight stays reached 12.36 million (+7.1 percent). These positive figures indicate not only a greater influx of tourists – driven by the return of European markets and the strengthening of the Maghreb states – but also a longer average stay and greater use of formal accommodation facilities. The Tunisian government and the National Tourism Office (ONTT) maintain the goal of reaching 11 million tourists by the end of 2025. This goal appears to be quite achievable thanks to this steady growth rate accompanied by an increasing focus on improving service quality and facilities.

In this context, it is worth mentioning that the country will host the hot air balloon and paragliding festival from October 24 to November 1, 2025. It will attract about 2,000 foreign tourists and numerous locals to the island of Djerba and the southern Tunisian desert, who will take part in the various events as part of the festival. During the week, an air and land caravan will traverse the country, combining beach, desert and oasis tourism with aerial shows, musical performances and a nighttime display of illuminated balloons and drones that will color the desert sky. The program also includes a choreographed march with 500 participants, an international rap concert and a scientific exhibition on the history of Tunisian aviation, organized to mark the 105th anniversary of Djerba Airport. A week-long event will also be dedicated to the island's traditional crafts and will showcase the interconnectedness of culture, tourism and innovation. Organizers expect the event to bring together participants from six different countries, as well as a team of over 60 technicians and assistants, and attract a total of up to 4,000 people, including tourists, the curious and industry experts.

In addition to promoting an environmentally conscious travel model, the “Trans-Tunisia Trekking Trail” aims to improve the quality of tourism services, create new employment opportunities and enhance Tunisia's natural and cultural heritage. The initiative is part of the broader efforts of the European Tounes Wijhetouna program, which aims to support the competitiveness of the Tunisian tourism and culture sector by strengthening cooperation between public institutions and local stakeholders. With the “Trans-Tunisia Trekking Trail” app, Tunisia is investing in a new tourist identity: that of a country to be explored slowly, where every path tells a story and every encounter becomes a bridge between cultures, sustainability and local development.

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