UK-Tunisia Sustainable Tourism Charter
This charter between the UK and Tunisia aims to support a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly tourism industry in the pilot area of Hammamet, before expanding across Tunisia. It was signed in November 2019 and developed in partnership with: the Municipality of Hammamet,,the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism, ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), TUI, ANGED (Tunisia’s waste management agency) and the Federation of Tunisian Hoteliers.
The Charter should lead to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly tourism industry in Tunisia, responding to the increasing priority that British and other foreign tourists are placing on the environment when making their holiday choices.
According to WWF, nearly 600,000 tonnes of plastic is dumped into the Mediterranean Sea every year costing the Tunisian economy $20million due to the impact on tourism, fishing and navigation. Goals set by the Charter are intended to help address this issue.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-tunisia-sustainable-tourism-charter/uk-tunisia-sustainable-tourism-charter
The Charter will deliver concrete results including:
The discontinuation of disposable plastic cups and cutlery in hotels by March 2020 and the ending of plastic drinking straws by December 2019;
More responsible disposal and recycling of waste with tour operators encouraging hotels to attain a Global Sustainable Tourism certificate by December 2020 and the production of a work plan for the Hammamet Municipal Council and central government by March 2020; and
Support the local economy with more opportunities for local and regional artisans to sell goods to guests as well as strengthened promotion of local food in hotel restaurants by March 2020.
