In southern Tunisia, amidst hilltop villages, ancient ksours and desert landscapes, a new form of experiential tourism is taking shape, born out of the stories, skills and creativity of local communities.
A few days ago, the closing event of CHEMS – Chemins d’Expériences dans la Mémoire du Sud – took place at the Chenini Heritage Interpretation Centre. This project, carried out with funding from the Emilia-Romagna Region, aims to promote the Tataouine area through a model of tourism that is more closely aligned with the communities and their traditional knowledge.
The main outcome of the project is the creation of a new itinerary comprising six stops and six experiences, developed in collaboration with the women of the Groupements de Développement Agricole (GDA) in El Ferch, Guermassa, Tlalet, Douiret, Ksar Ouled Sultan and Smar. This itinerary invites visitors to the region not merely to be spectators, but to become active participants in a story woven from traditions, everyday practices and knowledge passed down through the ages.
The proposed experiences allow visitors to discover the region’s intangible heritage by taking part in the creation of handicrafts made from skhab and rush, the processing of wool – from spinning to natural dyeing – the preparation of the traditional Hriga sauce, the distillation of floral waters and the creation of clay masks. These activities bring a living culture to life and transform knowledge passed down through the generations into opportunities for encounter and sharing.
Representatives of the GDA organisations explained how CHEMS has helped to promote the skills and knowledge preserved by local communities, transforming traditional know-how and everyday practices into experiences capable of fostering a genuine connection between visitors and the local area. For them, each activity on offer represents an opportunity to share their own history, strengthen their bond with local traditions and open up new development opportunities for the communities involved.
Each experience stems from local knowledge and reflects a part of the region’s identity.
“It is not just about showcasing a product or a craft technique,” explain the project participants, “but about sharing a story, a way of life and a connection with the local area.”
The work carried out as part of CHEMS has enabled us to support the GDAs in defining the experiences, organising them and developing an offering capable of engaging with the tourism sector. Alongside the creation of the circuit, various promotional tools have been produced: a brochure dedicated to the route, describing the six stages and their respective stops; specific leaflets for each experience, available in Arabic, French and English; and a video presentation designed to raise awareness of the circuit and the Tataouine region.
“The added value of this project lies in having transformed local skills into concrete opportunities for engagement and development,” emphasises the CHEMS team.
“The communities are not merely the beneficiaries of the activities, but key players in shaping the tourism offering.”
During the closing event, the activities carried out were presented, along with the training programme for the groups involved and the study tour organised to introduce the circuit to tourism operators.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for dialogue with institutional stakeholders and the local tourism sector. The Regional Commissioner for Tourism highlighted the importance of initiatives capable of promoting sustainable tourism, based on the enhancement of the region’s cultural and human resources. “Projects such as CHEMS help to diversify the region’s tourism offering and to showcase places and skills that deserve greater visibility,” he stated during the meeting. The President of the Federation of South-East Travel Agencies also expressed his appreciation for the work carried out: “It is a well-structured tourism product, capable of meeting the growing demand for authentic experiences”.
The President of AITR – the Italian Association for Responsible Tourism – emphasised: “This circuit brings together various elements characteristic of responsible tourism: community involvement, the protection of local heritage and the creation of authentic relationships between visitors and local areas.” Although not a partner in the project, the association expressed its willingness to promote the circuit through its own network and at events dedicated to responsible tourism.

The conclusion of CHEMS does not mark a definitive end, but rather the beginning of a new phase for the circuit that has been created.
The six experiences born out of the project reveal a different side to Tataouine – one made up not only of landscapes and monuments, but above all of people, knowledge and stories. Through craftsmanship, traditions and intangible cultural heritage, CHEMS helps to build a new narrative for the region: a form of tourism that is more inclusive, sustainable and participatory, where local communities take centre stage in shaping the story and development of their own region.

On Youtube channel the event’s video