India-Tunisia Cooperation in Ayurveda, Wellness and Tourism Highlighted on 11th Ayurveda Day 2026
The Embassy of India in Tunis, in association with the Ministry of AYUSH, celebrated the 11th Ayurveda Day 2026 on 29 September 2026, under the theme “Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow,” along with World Tourism Day 2026, at Mövenpick Gammarth, Tunis. Nearly 100 participants attended the event, which brought together representatives from the traditional medicine, tourism, hospitality, wellness and business sectors
Addressing the gathering, Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India to Tunisia, highlighted Ayurveda’s emphasis on balanced living, preventive healthcare and holistic well-being. She underscored the potential for greater cooperation between India’s Ayurveda and Yoga institutions and Tunisia’s internationally recognised thalassotherapy and wellness tourism sector.
The Ambassador also emphasised the importance of facilitating travel through visa free regimes for Indian travellers and strengthening professional and business linkages to further promote tourism between India and Tunisia. She highlighted India’s growing international engagement in Ayurveda and traditional medicine, including its collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in 2022. She also referred to India’s bilateral cooperation in traditional medicine with countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Malaysia, Brazil, Cuba and Japan.
Experts participating online from India included Pradeep Multani, Director, Ayushexcil; Dr. Prashanth Dharmarajan of the All India Institute of Ayurveda; Baby Mathew Somatheeram of the Somatheeram Research Institute; and Aashish Gupta, Consulting CEO of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH)
The Tunisian speakers included Mohamed Ali Toumi, President of the Tunisian Federation of Travel Agencies, and Dhouha Hafsi, Founder and Director of the International Holistic Academy. They shared perspectives on health, wellness and tourism, contributing to a broader discussion on opportunities for cooperation between the two countries
The programme featured discussions among businesses and professionals on opportunities in Ayurveda, wellness tourism, hospitality and professional exchange, with a focus on developing new partnerships and further strengthening India–Tunisia linkages in these sectors. The discussions highlighted the significant economic potential of these areas in India. The Indian Ayurveda industry generated approximately USD 37 billion in revenue in FY 2024-25. Tourism has also emerged as a key driver of India’s economic growth, employment and regional development, generating around USD 32 billion in international tourism receipts. India receives nearly 10 million international tourists annually, while outbound travel from India is estimated at nearly 30 million trips per year, underscoring the considerable opportunities for cooperation in wellness and tourism between India and Tunisia
Indian tea promotion was another highlight of the event. Guests were introduced to teas from Assam, Darjeeling in West Bengal, and Kangra in Himachal Pradesh through a curated tasting that showcased the diversity of India’s tea-growing regions. The initiative also provided an opportunity to engage Tunisia’s tourism and hospitality sector on the potential of Indian tea as an integral part of the visitor experience
The event concluded with a hybrid business-to-business (B2B) session, bringing together Indian and Tunisian stakeholders to exchange ideas, establish professional contacts and explore opportunities for cooperation in Ayurveda, wellness, tourism and hospitality
