The start of the high season. More and more tourists are arriving at the resorts of the Tunisian Mediterranean to enjoy the sunny and environmentally friendly local beaches. However, a significant share of travelers at this time are far from ordinary guests. They are specialists who essentially influence what the upcoming tourism season will look like: industry professionals and journalists specializing in tourism and hospitality.
In May 2026, Carthage Group staff in Tunisia hosted several groups like this. From Romania, Moldova and Belarus. Which companies were represented by these travelers? What were their main areas of focus? These questions are answered by Irina Boukadida, Tunisia Destination Manager at Carthage Group.
What FAM and press tours did Carthage Group host in May?
In May, we hosted four FAM tours in total:
We also welcomed participants of a press tour from Romania, organized by the tour operator Vacanza, including representatives of TVR Romania, Prima News, Bursa.ro, as well as other journalists, bloggers and media influencers.
It is especially pleasing that all groups were accompanied by top executives and senior managers of their companies, clearly demonstrating their strong engagement in the Tunisian tourism market.
Belarusian colleagues arrived via Belavia, so direct flights have resumed, correct?
Yes, they arrived on the first flight from Minsk to Enfidha. The customer and consolidator of the aircraft providing direct air connectivity between Belarus and Tunisia is Intercity, a long-standing partner of Carthage Group with more than 30 years of experience in the tourism industry.
It is worth noting that on the same flight as the participants of the FAM tours, we also welcomed Mr. Igor Vyacheslavovich Tsuranok, Director of Intercity, and Ms. Olga Slavomirovna Myshkovskaya, Product Manager of the same company, who came with a separate mission to study the tourism product. This clearly demonstrates the special, high-status attention of Belarusian professionals to the Tunisian destination, which has truly reopened after a five-year break.
Were regular tourists being welcomed at the same time?
Of course. The season in Tunisia operates year-round, and in May, alongside professional groups, we also welcomed tourists from Bulgaria, Romania, Belarus, Moldova and Russia.
It is also worth mentioning that the press tour from Romania and FAM tours from Romania, Moldova and Belarus took place during Eid al-Adha. During this period, Tunisian hotels also experience an influx of local holidaymakers. We had to promptly address accommodation logistics for the groups and, in some cases, replace hotels with equivalent alternatives in terms of category and service level.
Despite all challenges, we managed to maintain the overall service standard and ensure accommodation for all participants. I am pleased to say that we handled the situation successfully, although it required additional effort and quick operational adjustments.
What were tour programs like for professionals?
The programs varied depending on the format and country of origin.
The most intensive program was for Belarusian FAM tours, lasting 10 days. The main focus was on exploring hotel infrastructure across different categories: from economy to premium segment. Guests also participated in key Tunisian excursions, including the Sahara and Carthage. A cooking masterclass on preparing traditional Tunisian brik pastries generated strong interest and many positive emotions. In addition, a thalassotherapy center visit was organized, after which some participants independently returned for additional treatments, showing high interest in wellness tourism.
The Moldovan group had a similar but shorter program (7 days), with hotel inspections, excursions to the Sahara and Carthage, and a cooking masterclass.
The Romanian FAM tour had a different format, based on a Round Trip itinerary that we have been organizing for Romanian tourists for three years. It included stays in different resorts, a three-day Sahara journey, visits to key attractions, as well as excursions to Carthage and Hammamet.
As for the press tour, its program was more focused on an overall introduction to the country. It included excursions to the Sahara and Carthage, Tunisian wine and olive oil tasting, and a cooking masterclass. Participants also experienced traditional home-style Tunisian cuisine.
Who from Carthage Group worked with these guests?
Guests were supported by various specialists: our lead tour guide Tatyana Tokareva, consultant Alena Stakhovskaya, heads of the excursion department Alexey Peremot and Mohamed Bouzaen, as well as tour guides Aymen Boussetta, Nejah Ben Ali and Hamdi Heni. With such professional guidance, it is impossible not to become interested in Tunisia and its culture. These excursions provide a truly immersive experience into North African reality, even for those who have visited before.
Meetings with guests were also held by senior representatives of Carthage Group management: CEO and co-owner Elena Saadaoui, Global Sales Director Mohamed Khalil Fejji, and myself, Irina Boukadida, as Tunisia Destination Manager.
The main goal of our work and communication with colleagues from Romania, Moldova and Belarus was to ensure a truly high-quality travel experience, one that fully delivers on everything tourists come to Tunisia for, without unmet expectations.
What is your assessment on results of these tours? Are there practical benefits already?
The results of both FAM and press tours can be considered positive and highly productive. The programs were fully completed and successfully provided participants with a comprehensive introduction to Tunisia.
From my perspective, the main success lies in achieving practical immersion of specialists into the destination. Our guests were able to see not only the standard product but also how it operates during the high season, which is crucial for forming an objective understanding of service quality and travel opportunities in Tunisia.
As for feedback, participants highlighted strong interest in hotel infrastructure, the diversity of resorts, and excursion programs, especially trips to the Sahara and Carthage, gastronomic experiences and thalassotherapy. Guests also particularly noted the emotional richness of Carthage Group excursions and the high quality of organization and support.
Practical benefits are already visible: participants are actively applying their experience in customer interactions, better understanding the product, and more confidently promoting Tunisia as a destination.
The high season has begun, and I wish success to all professionals working in tourism and hospitality, and unforgettable, well-organized journeys to travelers.
