International Tourism and Omra Exhibition Kicks Off in Tunis
The fourth edition of the International Tourism and Omra Exhibition has commenced at the Convention Center in the capital city. The event, taking place on September 12 and 13, 2025, brings together a significant number of professionals from Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.
Event Overview
According to the organizers, the exhibition gathers key players and specialists in the fields of tourism, Omra services, and cultural industries, in an innovative format that adds new dimensions to travel. The president of the Tunisian Federation of Travel and Tourism Agencies, Ahmed Bettaieb, highlighted the unique character of this edition. The first day is dedicated to professionals and individuals interested in tourism and Omra affairs, while the second day is open to the general public.
Organization and Partnerships
Bettaieb stated that the federation has partnered with the Tunisian Organization for Consumer Protection to better organize the Omra season, avoid illegal circuits, put an end to unauthorized actors, and guarantee clients' rights, whether from Tunisia or elsewhere, in the face of abuses observed during previous seasons. Panels of discussion will be organized during the event, focusing on explaining laws by representatives of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, raising client awareness by the Tunisian Organization for Consumer Protection, and holding high-level conferences to debate new tourism models and the role of innovation in this field.
Ministry of Religious Affairs' Preparations
The head of the minister's office, Ghofrane Sahli, indicated that the ministry has begun preparations for the Omra and pilgrimage season by holding regular meetings with all stakeholders to correct shortcomings. She specified that the Omra guidance note was published on July 28, 2025, on the ministry's official website. Additionally, training sessions are planned for Omra escorts to deliver a recognized certificate, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Tunisian Federation of Travel and Tourism Agencies.
Protecting Pilgrims' Rights
Sahli emphasized the need for pilgrims to sign the Omra contract to protect the rights of both the pilgrim and the travel agency, noting that the contract has been improved to include new conditions and obligations. She added that the Minister of Religious Affairs has presented, for the first time, a guide for pilgrims and a brochure containing the pillars of Omra, the modalities of its accomplishment, and the prohibitions to avoid during rituals.
Consumer Protection
The vice-president of the Tunisian Organization for Consumer Protection, Soraya Tebassi, highlighted that the organization will work during the next Omra season to guarantee pilgrims' rights, particularly when departing Tunisian territory, by ensuring good supervision. The organization seeks to better structure and organize a sector that suffers from numerous failures and abuses by some travel agencies operating illegally. Tebassi confirmed that the organization receives a significant number of complaints from citizens daily during the pilgrimage and Omra seasons, estimating that the Omra contract will allow pilgrims to protect their rights and file a complaint in case of fraud.
