Chokri Mansour local travel guide in the region of Tabarka and Founding President of the Association Pinna Developing and promoting ecotourism APDPE. It unfolds for the promotion of tourism and recreation in north western Tunisia in particular developing new tourism products. Care to learn more about the circuit underwater Melloula / Tabarka. By Amel DJAIT
1001tunisie: In what consists an underwater trail? Why Ecotourism? How does Pinna intervene?
Chokri Mansour: Pinna The Association for the development and promotion of ecotourism is a young non-profit organization whose concerns are socio-economic, environmental and ecological levels. It acts on two major segments: ecotourism and education in the marine and coastal environment.
Our association is currently involved in the implementation of the project Ecomel under the program of small initiatives of civil society in North Africa of the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN-Med PPI NASCO. A program funded by the MAVA Foundation for Nature and FFEM (French Global Environment Facility).
Is it diving on archaeological or natural site? Is the snorkeling?
The term underwater trail is, initially, used to define a marine discovery activity on the surface with light equipment (fins, mask, snorkel) in a specific site, marked and protected principle. It is often confused with the Anglo-Saxon generic term “snorkeling” in French known under different names: underwater excursion, watery ride and of course underwater trail. The underwater trail fits naturally with the awareness component of land management policies for the preservation and improvement of the environmental conditions of the coastal and marine environment.
The underwater path appears as inseparable actions of territorial and local authorities for sustainable development of coastal territory to the preservation and enhancement of remarkable sites, contributing to the development of ecotourism, channeling the influx of attendance on a site chosen .; This is an information and awareness tool for living together on the territory.
If it is just the “snorkel”, why make a marked circuit?
During an underwater trail, as for many other outdoor activities, a message must be issued for more understanding (synchronous with direct observation). The exchanges and the game of questions and answers between the environment and diver are important for the understanding of the site, the environment, operation, etc. There are various tools to convey messages which marked stations that provide continuous information and directly related with the environment in which the panel is positioned
How did the project work? How many work there?
Under the Ecomel project, Pinna Association conducted a training course for Tunisian animators, a dozen local participants in Tabarka. The association then assured for a smaller group, a professional training in Algeria in the underwater hiking trails in Jijel. The facilitators have received training are available to lead a tour of the underwater trail Melloula bay during the activity period of the trail.
What is the price of marine course Melloula -Tabarka?
The price is 30DT / person. This price includes equipment rental (Fins, mask and Tubas) and fees for the animation of the circuit with the specialized mediator.
How is it sold? Where and when can I book?
To book a discovery of underwater trail Bay Melloula, just contact the association or Pinna or myself, the project manager. I take charge of the logistics and organization of the activity.
Who is the circuit underwater Melloula Tabaraka?
Our product is for all amateurs and professional diving and underwater and terrestrial hiking and all young people who want to discover and learn on the Mediterranean marine environment.
The public that may be affected by the path of activity are the public (individuals or families as part of day trip or tourist stay ), individual internship discovery (adults and children), sports, school as part of educational projects, organized groups of adults (clubs, works councils, corporate training), young people, as part of a social program / policy of the city …
What is your association doing to ensure the sustainability of this new product?
The Association currently support the creation of a tourist entertainment company that will handle the delivery of ecotourism services in the governorate of Jendouba and whose head is a local tour guide certified by ONTT.
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