Accelerating Tourism Businesses’ Profitability Through Capacity-Building Workshops for over 140 SMEs from Key Regions Across Tunisia

Articles / 29-03-2023

Over  140 tourism SMEs fromTunis, Tabarka, Aïn Draham, Medenine, Kairouan, Gabes, Sousse, Sfax, Kebili, Tozeur,  Djerba, and Nabeul gained the skills necessary to improve their business operations. These trainings focused on profitability, creating market linkages, developing tourism business in alternative destinations, and generating investment to spur further growth.  The SME Training & Assistance program especially encourages tourism start-ups and women-owned enterprises. In the next stage of the program, USAID Visit Tunisia will support 30 selected SMEs through grants and targeted direct technical advisory, and 20 through mentorship support. In addition, all the participating SMEs will be provided continuous access to e-learning courses.


Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a vital part of Tunisia’s tourism sector and an engine for economic growth. To help SMEs in the tourism industry maximize efficiency, access much-needed financing, and capitalize on alternative tourism opportunities, USAID Visit Tunisia is offering a technical assistance program for SMEs in this industry. 30 selected SMEs will receive additional support in grant and targeted direct technical advisory, and 20 in mentorship support.

“RésaPrivée meets the market's needs and connects tourism providers with customers who want authentic experiences. The idea of creating a marketplace platform was born from the need of our Tunisie.co community to book experiences and service/product providers to connect with customers. Today's workshop allowed us to step back, to question ourselves - and it was beneficial! During the training, I also had the opportunity to develop my business and discuss potential partnerships with 3 SMEs!”— Abir Fares, Co-founder of RésaPrivée participant in the Tourism SME Training & Assistance training in Tabarka on March 2.

Through the Tourism SME Training and Assistance program, Tunisian SMEs gain the skills and resources to improve their business operations and profitability; create market linkages and develop tourism business in alternative destinations; and generate investment to spur further growth. The program’s objective is to support at least two hundred (200) targeted businesses initially, throughout Tunisia, of which at least 30% are women owned.

“My decoration and gift shop offers palm-waste based products. As a growing business, I am looking for assistance and financing support and that is the reason why I participated in the SME Training & Assistance program in Tozeur. We learned many new things. Looking forward to more opportunities.” — Sana Ben Amor, Founder of a gift shop project based on palm-waste, participant in the Tourism SME Training & Assistance training in Tozeur on February 17.


Building SME capacity in market research, marketing and communication, and access to finance


The workshops were designed to strengthen SME capacity in market research, marketing and communication, and access to finance.

On February 17th and 18th, 66 enterprises operating in Kebili, Tozeur, Gabes, Medenine, Djerba, Sfax, Kairouan, Sousse, Nabeul, and Tunis were certified following the workshops in Tozeur.

On March 2nd and 3rd, 77 enterprises operating in Tunis, Tabarka, Ain Draham, Medenine, Kairouan, Gabes, Sousse, Sfax, Siliana, Beja and Nabeul were certified following the workshops in Tabarka.


Key Insights from the Workshops held in Tozeur and Tabarka


Below is a glimpse of the key insights put forward by the participants and further observed by USAID Visit Tunisia:

  • The workshop contributed to building bridges between participants and exploring areas of collaboration to create tourism experiences and services leading to new partnerships;
  • The participatory approach sparked attendees’ interest and increased their information retention;
  • Each business succeeded in learning how to draft efficient and appealing pitches and proposals to engage investment and partners;
  • The businesses ranged from tourism accommodations, restaurants, handicraft and souvenir retailers, travel booking/support providers, event/festival organizers, travel service providers, tourism operators, tourism transportation/ booking providers, and other service providers in the tourism supply chain.




What’s Next for the Supported SMEs?


Following both the SME Training and Assistance workshops, USAID Visit Tunisia will support:

  • 30 selected SMEs in grant and targeted direct technical advisory
  • 20 in mentorship support, in addition to providing continuous access to e-learning courses for all participating SMEs.
In addition to this program, USAID Visit Tunisia continues to collaborate with the private sector and support entrepreneurs to develop successful and sustainable businesses through:

Want to become a Partner? Explore ongoing opportunities.

The Tourism SME Training & Assistance program is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Tunisia offering technical assistance training and grant support. The program aims to improve their business operations and profitability; create market linkages and develop tourism business in alternative destinations; and generate investment to spur further growth. The Tourism SME Training & Assistance program is implemented by USAID Visit Tunisia Activity.

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