The Tunisian National Tourism Office (ONTT) has announced the organization of the Hot Air Balloon and Paragliding Festival, set to take place from October 24 to November 1, 2025, with events stretching from Djerba to Tunisia’s southern desert regions.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mohamed Mehdi Heloui, Director-General of the ONTT, emphasized the event’s significant role in promoting Tunisian tourism, particularly in desert areas.
He noted that this unique festival blends aviation and tourism into a new and innovative product that enriches Tunisia’s tourism offering and helps extend the tourist season beyond the summer months.
Heloui added that such events will enhance the appeal of Tunisia’s desert destinations across both traditional and emerging markets, especially among tourists seeking experiences different from conventional coastal tourism.
Regarding bookings, he reported promising indicators for an excellent desert tourism season, highlighting the reopening of several hotels in Tozeur, including two new establishments that will boost investment and employment in the region.
“We are working to organize events throughout the year,” he said, “with nearly six major activities planned to spotlight Tunisia’s desert regions on the global tourism map.”
Heloui expects the festival to attract around 2,000 foreign participants, while also engaging local communities through cultural and entertainment events.
For his part, Ali Dheridi, Vice President of the Tunisian Pilots Association and member of the organizing committee, described the festival as the first of its kind in Tunisia, combining aviation as a science, art, and heritage with tourism as its ultimate goal.
The festival will begin in Djerba on October 24 and conclude there on November 1, 2025, with a caravan journey linking beach tourism, desert tourism, and oasis experiences.
“The idea emerged from a desire to bridge the gap between the summer beach season and the desert tourism season,” Dheridi explained. “We wanted to create a festive transition from the island of Djerba to the Tunisian south, featuring aerial shows, live music performances, and breathtaking displays of illuminated hot air balloons lighting up the desert sky to the rhythm of an open-air concert.”
The program will also include a parade of 500 uniquely shaped balloons, a public music concert featuring an international rap artist, and a scientific exhibition on the history of aviation, commemorating the 105th anniversary of the old Djerba Airport — a tribute to Tunisia’s long-standing aviation heritage.
In addition, an artisanal crafts fair will take place in Djerba for a week, showcasing the island’s rich cultural traditions.
Participants and contributors to the event represent six different nationalities, supported by over 60 technicians, artists, and coordinators. Organizers expect an audience of around 4,000 visitors to attend and celebrate this vibrant new chapter in Tunisia’s tourism scene.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essafi)
