Tunisia Bids to Host Prestigious International Event on the Island of Djerba
The National Union of Independent Tourist Guides is leading Tunisia's candidacy to host a major international event on the island of Djerba, promising global visibility and sustainable economic benefits, leveraging the country's rich UNESCO heritage.
Tunisia is officially in the running to host the 2028 World Congress of Tourist Guides, a prestigious event that could attract hundreds of professionals from around the world and offer the country an unprecedented promotional showcase. This was announced by Chedi Sfaxi, President of the National Union of Independent Tourist Guides (UNGTI), during an intervention on the RTCI radio waves on September 27, 2025. Carried by the UNGTI, this candidacy is based on solid assets and a favorable international context.
Hosting such a congress represents a significant challenge for Tunisia. According to estimates by this tourist structure, the event could attract around 500 participants from over 60 countries. These participants, mostly guide-influencers, could generate visibility reaching up to 300,000 people through their networks. Beyond the immediate impact, Sfaxi highlighted the long-term benefits, citing examples of former host countries that experienced "8 to 10 years of stability and visibility" in tourism after organizing the congress. The organization of such an event would also be done with reduced investments, thus maximizing the return on investment for the country.
Tunisia's Assets and a Strategy Focused on UNESCO
To defend its dossier, Tunisia is relying on several weighty arguments. Its central geographical position, "at the heart of the world" and the Mediterranean basin, makes it an easily accessible destination. The choice of the island of Djerba, recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is a central element of the communication strategy. The Union plans to highlight the UNESCO label, a significant argument that its competitors do not possess. Pre- and post-congress circuits are also planned to discover the country's wealth, from Carthage to Dougga, including southern Tunisia, touching almost all classified sites.
Tunisia's candidacy benefits from a favorable combination of circumstances. A new rule of the International Federation of Tourist Guide Associations now excludes continents that have recently hosted the event. With Italy having organized the congress in 2024 and Japan set to do so in 2026, Europe and Asia are therefore excluded, leaving the field open to Africa and the Americas. The American candidacy having not been retained, the competition is now between three African countries: Tunisia, Ethiopia, and Botswana. The Federation has also expressed its desire to turn towards the African continent.
The Driving Role of the Union of Guides
The National Union of Independent Tourist Guides, although young, is the pillar of this candidacy. Created to defend the interests of the profession after a decade of crises, it is perceived as a "breath of fresh air" for the sector. Its dynamism has earned it the status of "full membership" from the moment it joined the International Federation, granting it all rights, including the right to organize events of this magnitude. Mr. Sfaxi also indicated that he had received "positive feedback" and encouragement from the ministry and the Tunisian National Tourism Office, a national support deemed crucial by international authorities.
On the sidelines of this international ambition, Mr. Sfaxi recalled the main challenge facing tourist guides in Tunisia: the need to modernize legislation dating back to 1973. The Union has already prepared and submitted a draft law to update this regulatory framework, deemed obsolete and blocking for the profession. The final decision regarding the attribution of the 2028 congress will be made during the vote to be held at the end of February 2026 in Japan.
