Djerba’s coastal and marine ecosystems are at the heart of the island’s tourism appeal. Strengthening the capacity of hotels to protect these natural assets is therefore a key step toward a more nature-positive and resilient tourism model.

In this spirit, the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation recently led two training workshops in Djerba, Tunisia, aimed at improving the environmental performance of local hotels and promoting biodiversity-friendly practices. A total of 15 hotels from across the island took part, demonstrating a strong collective commitment to sustainability.

The trainings were delivered on the ground by marine environment expert Dr. Walid Belgacem and the Association pour la Sauvegarde de l’Île de Djerba (ASSIDJE), with the collaboration of Iberostar, the Djerba Hotel College, and in coordination with the Association Jlij pour l’Environnement Marin (AJEM).

By bringing together hotel professionals, local NGOs, and public institutions, the workshops fostered dialogue, shared learning, and collaboration—key ingredients for effective blue tourism governance.

Training 1: Caring for Beaches, Dunes, and Marine Ecosystems

On 17–18 November, the first training focused on ecological management of coastal environments, targeting hotel staff responsible for environmental management, as well as representatives from NGOs and public authorities.

Key topics included:

• Sustainable management of beaches and dunes

• The ecological role of Posidonia oceanica banquettes

• Co-management approaches between hotels and local NGOs to improve coastal stewardship

Participants also visited Iberostar Waves Mehari Djerba, where they explored concrete examples of sustainable tourism in action—from dune restoration and composting initiatives to guest awareness activities.

Training 2: Water, Energy, and Climate-Smart Gardens

On December 1st, the second workshop brought together hotel gardeners and maintenance managers, along with NGO and public-sector representatives, to focus on resource efficiency and climate resilience.

Discussions and expert presentations covered:

• Sustainable water and energy management in hotel operations

• Designing eco-friendly gardens using native and drought-resistant species

• Practical solutions to adapt hotel infrastructure to climate change

The training also sparked inspiring conversations around the creation of a local eco-label, designed to recognise and reward hotels’ environmental efforts in Djerba.

From Training to Long-Term Impact

These workshops form part of the ongoing development of the Guidelines for Biodiversity and Environmental Improvement of Hotels in Djerba. The guidelines will soon be made available to hotel operators, alongside a monitoring programme to support continuous learning, improvement, and long-term environmental performance.

By investing in local skills, partnerships, and shared responsibility, Djerba is taking meaningful steps toward blue tourism that benefits nature, communities, and the local economy.