During a meeting with the Governor of Tataouine, Amir El Ghabsi, the ambassador highlighted a new project in partnership with the National Heritage Institute to preserve the historic Douiret Village in Tataouine. The U.S. government will fund the project with an allocation exceeding 750,000 TND, reflecting a joint commitment to honoring Tunisia's cultural heritage and unlocking economic and tourism growth.

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On the sidelines of his visit to a rural accommodation project in Douiret Village, partially funded by the U.S.-based "Visit Tunisia" organization, the ambassador emphasized that the organization has supported 21 small businesses in southern Tunisia. Through marketing campaigns reaching over 26 million social media viewers, the initiative has also promoted a new direct flight route from Paris to Tozeur.

Tourism and Employment Projects

The "Visit Tunisia" program has also rehabilitated 60 small tourism businesses, enhancing their ability to attract visitors worldwide and offering unique accommodation and cultural experiences across various Tunisian governorates.

In terms of employment, the "Tunisia Jobs" project has assisted local businesses in expanding operations, creating 243 new jobs, and generating 4.35 million TND in additional sales over the past five years.

Additionally, the "Together" project, in collaboration with local civil society organizations, has invested in the renovation of community spaces, including parks and youth centers. Five facilities have been renewed so far, including a cultural complex in South Tataouine and youth and cultural centers in Bir Lahmar and North Tataouine. These facilities now host activities such as dance, music, theater, IT, robotics, and arts, while providing inclusive opportunities for people with disabilities, including vocational training and community engagement.

Economic Cooperation and Trade

The ambassador noted that Tunisia's exports to the United States have consistently outpaced imports over the past seven years, an exception compared to Tunisia’s trade relations with other countries. Tunisia’s trade surplus with the U.S. grew from $8.3 million to $600 million in 2024, with exports exceeding $1 billion for the first time.

Ambassador Hood expressed his satisfaction with the strengthening Tunisian-American partnership and the exploration of new avenues for collaboration, highlighting the remarkable growth of Tunisian handicraft exports, which increased from less than 1 million TND in 2011 to 49 million TND in 2023.

Douiret Accommodation and Cultural Heritage

The ambassador praised the Douiret accommodation, a unique location with Amazigh architectural heritage, which has become a significant tourist attraction in the region. Raouf Talbi, one of the project’s managers, explained that the accommodation can host up to 30 guests in two traditional houses, providing 12 jobs.

The "Visit Tunisia" organization supported the project with 16,000 TND, enabling a 25% development of the facility. Plans are underway to expand the project with a third unit, which will increase the region’s accommodation capacity and attract more visitors from Tunisia and abroad.