International bird-watchers are being invited to sign up for an ornithological exploration of the Ichkeul Park, an exceptional bird heritage site in northern Tunisia, thanks to the support of the EU-funded SwitchMed programme.

The ‘ornithological weekend’ organised by Tunisia Ecotourism is now being sold by Point Voyage, a pioneer of French adventure holidays. The weekend includes a hike across the marshes of the Ichkeul National Park, a traditional lunch at Mabrouka, one of the last settlements on the site, a relaxing bath in thermal waters and many other discoveries.

Tunisia Ecotourism contributes to the diversification of Tunisia’s tourism according to a model that is respectful of biodiversity and offering opportunities to local communities. The agency was selected in 2015 as one of the most innovative pilot projects in the SwitchMed programme financed by the EU in agreement with the Ministry of the Environment and the EU Delegation in Tunisia. In this context, SwitchMed supports the agency in strengthening their business model, improving their ecotourism services and partner networks, and not forgetting their environmental certification process.

Last April, the experts provided by SwitchMed allowed the agency to conclude an agreement with a French tour operator, Point Voyage, which markets the new ornithological circuit co-created by the agency and experts.

SwitchMed sustainable consumption and production programme aims to promote a switch by the Mediterranean economies towards sustainable consumption and production patterns and green economy, including low-emission development, through demonstration and dissemination of methods that improve resource and energy efficiency. It also seeks to minimise the environmental impacts associated with the life cycle of products and services and, where possible, to promote renewable energy.

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Press release

SwitchMed website