In the rapidly evolving tourism sector, innovative solutions are crucial for keeping pace with the demands of modern travelers. Enter Tourific, a groundbreaking app that offers self-guided tours tailored to individuals’ interests. Co-founded by Lebanese Bilal Zahalan, the unique platform allows tourists to explore destinations at their own pace and in their preferred language. Supported by the EU-funded CREACT4MED programme, Tourific also works to empower local tour guides eager to share the treasured stories of their country. 

Using modern tools in an accessible manner was the vision behind Tourific, an app that aims to revolutionise the tourism landscape in the MENA region. By empowering local tour guides and offering unique, flexible tour experiences, the platform seeks to make a significant impact on both the tourism industry and local communities. 

“Tourific is designed to provide personalised, immersive tour experiences, all while empowering local guides from rural areas to monetise their knowledge and passion,” explains 24 year-old entrepreneur Bilal Zahalan.

Tourific’s features are comprehensive: from food tours and Instagrammable location tours to mystery trails, the platform offers a broad range of experiences created by locals across the country. This approach makes the tourist experience unique and supports local economies by promoting lesser known areas and activities. The app’s user-friendly interface, complete with Google Maps integration, ensures that users can navigate their tours effortlessly without even needing an internet connection. “Our goal is to revolutionise the tourism sector by making it more accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” Bilal sums up.

When a niche business overcomes industry challenges 

Bilal officially launched Tourifc six months ago, along with co-creators Ziad Talge and Marc Raphael. 

Their journey to creating Tourific was not without its hurdles. Initially focused on the Lebanese market, Zahalan and his team faced technical delays that pushed them to explore other markets like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. “We had already missed the tourism season in Lebanon, so we decided to launch in Egypt where the season was still active. This was a difficult but strategic choice as it revealed crucial for our early success,” Bilal recalls.

The support Bilal received from the EU-funded programme CREACT4MED played a pivotal role in Tourific’s development. “The grant came at a perfect time,” the young entrepreneur says. “Post-COVID-19, Lebanon’s economic collapse left us with zero local investors. The grant provided not only financial support but also moral encouragement and essential training.” 

Financed by the European Union through the EuropeAid Programme, CReative Entrepreneurs ACTing FOR the future MEDiterranean (CREACT4MED) aims to strengthen businesses and entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industries in the Southern Neighbourhood of the EU, with a particular focus on young people and women. 

Through CREACT4MED, Bilal benefited from a four-month incubation period, where he received extensive training on business models, marketing, and branding. He was also assigned a dedicated mentor, who offered him tailored guidance to navigate the challenges of launching a startup during a crisis.

A social entreprise empowering local communities

The main bottleneck the team faced when developing Tourific was “to make it accessible to all tour guides, especially those of an older age”, Bilal remembers.

Starting their own market research, the trio interviewed 50 older local tour guides – “not tech savvy at all” recalls Bilal w and developed a platform based on their feedback. “We tested the entire process with them because it was really important for us that the older generation be able to share their stories with the world.”

Farah Fala, a tour guide from Beirut, says her involvement with Tourific not only provided her with a rewarding salary but also offered her significant exposure. “When I learned about Tourific, the opportunity to share Lebanon’s rich culture and history with the world looked too good to pass up.”

Using her passion for writing, the 35-year-old graduate in chemistry and English literature started drafting stories about the local gems of her home country. From cultural roots to traditions and beautiful scenery, she developed content using the “very easy instructions” provided by Tourific. “The best part of working with Tourific is that I am able to promote Lebanon in a modern and attractive way, encouraging both locals and tourists to discover its beauty and traditions.”

Ahmad Wehbe, a young guide from Beqaa, in eastern Lebanon, speaks highly of his experience. “I believe Tourific will be a blast in the tourism sector. It has the power to attract many tourists and help them save money while they discover these new places.”

Both Farah and Ahmad insist on the economic and cultural benefits Tourific brings to their country. By connecting tourists with local guides and offering unique, immersive tours, the platform not only supports local employment but also promotes cultural preservation and understanding. “Tourific is not just a business; it’s a bridge between cultures,” says Bilal. “We’re proud to contribute to Lebanon’s recovery and growth by showcasing its rich heritage to the world.”

Expanding through innovation 

Tourific’s success in Lebanon, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia marks just the beginning. Bilal and his team are in talks with leading venture capital firms in Saudi Arabia to secure further investment for expansion. “We’re also exploring partnerships with travel agencies and telecom companies to offer Tourific as an added-value service when they buy a sim card for instance,” Bilal reveals, full of optimism. This innovative strategy aims to expand the startup’s distribution channels and maximise its outreach to new customers.

“The competition is fierce,” Bilal admits, but he truly believes that Tourific sits in a special niche of local tourism.

The platform is also constantly evolving to meet the needs of its potential new users. “We’re adding Spanish and Russian content to cater to international tourists,” the co-founder explains, citing the large number of Russian tourists in Egypt for example. 

Looking ahead, Zahalan is optimistic about Tourific’s potential. “In two years, we aim to be the leading provider of self-guided tours and other travel services in the Middle East,” he says confidently. The CREACT4Med support has laid a strong foundation for Tourific, enabling it to grow and thrive despite the challenges.

Find Tourific on 

• Website www.tourific.io 
• Instagram x https://www.instagram.com/tourific.io/