Tunisian workshop produces handbags as tourists return - in pictures

Handbags made in historic district of Tunis are very popular with visitors, bringing tourist revenue

A craftsman makes a woman's handbag in a workshop in the old town of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. UN figures suggest that there are about 350,000 artisans at work in Tunisia’s crafts industry. All photos: EPA

The Tunis handbags are made with stipa tenacissima, a green-grey needlegrass and they are exported to Europe and the US. Tunisia’s crafts industry contributes about 3.9 per cent to gross domestic product.

Completed handbags at a workshop in the old town of Tunis, Tunisia. Handbags are very popular with visitors, bringing tourist revenue. The tradespeople and the souqs that sold their goods suffered badly in the coronavirus pandemic.

A craftswoman works on a handbag in a workshop in the old town of Tunis, Tunisia. After the end of the coronavirus health emergency and the relaxation of entry conditions for tourists this year, visits are gradually returning to the medina of Tunis.

Tunisia boasts about 80 craft specialities, including weaving and basketry, and those industries have been at the heart of national and international promotional drives.

A craftsman at work in the old town of Tunis, Tunisia. In 2017, Tunisia and the US began co-operating on a six-year Collaborative Action for Handicraft Exports project to increase local sales and exports of craft goods.

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