Heritage tourism in Tunisia: Development one‐way choice

Abstract

Tunisian tourism plays a significant role in the economical balance of the country, providing an important source of entry to foreign currency, thanks to its privileged geographical situation, proximate to Europe, and as well to its protected and preserved cultural, physical and environmental resources and heritage. This steadily developing tourism is the result of socio‐political stability, a prerequisite for a harmonious development of the tourism sector, known to be precarious. Investment in hotels and related services devoted to tourists is progressing. However, within the framework of diversifying tourism products, cultural and natural sites tend to offer further potential economic opportunities. The former choice made with regard to developing tourism zones focusing on the coast has caused a lack of balance in the economical development of the different regions of the country, thus instilling a feeling of frustration among many inhabitants in the remaining inland areas. A benefit from equivalent attention allowing them to better their socio‐economic conditions is desired by many. National programs in matter of developing the tourism sector, as well as setting priority zones in such a framework, and incentives for cultural and ecological tourism, have been repeatedly publicized. Yet, the administrations in charge of the execution of these programs do not seem to keep pace with the decision‐makers. Where is the problem? Why is there such a misunderstanding causing dialogue to be difficult and somehow despairing vis‐à‐vis a local population intending to be enabled to realize appropriate projects based on a sustainable development of their patrimonial wealth?