ALGIERS, 19 March 2008 — Neglected by tourists and investors for a long time due to security problems and a lack of strategy, Algeria now wants to exploit its vast potential to promote its tourism industry. This was the message Algerian authorities sent to the world at the National and International Tourism Conference held in the Algerian capital on Feb. 11 and 12. Over 1,200 people attended the meeting.
Currently, Algerians face many challenges. They need to resolve security problem, improve the country’s image and promote and develop their tourist destinations. A major program needs to be launched for training people to help boost tourism. People associated with the hotel and restaurant professions need to be trained to deal with tourists.
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika told the conference that tourism development was a national priority and would occupy the first place as a catalyst for growth. Minister of Environment and Tourism Cherif Rahmani asserted, “Algeria holds tremendous advantages. Our country is able to provide investors opportunities for the launch of many tourism products. For us, tourism is no longer an option, it is a strategic imperative in terms of our income diversification, economy and job creation and also in terms of influence and cultural exchanges.”
Certainly, the development of tourism is still in its initial stages and will take time to find a place in a regional market dominated by Morocco and Tunisia. In 2007, the Algerian tourism industry generated barely $140 million — a meager amount compared to Tunisia’s $6 billion and Morocco’s $4.5 billion. Algerian authorities say they have set targets for the year 2025 but efforts are already under way to make Algeria a destination for cultural tourism.
The new policy launched by the authorities aims at attracting foreign investors, especially those from the Arab world — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. UAE company Al Qudra Holding having 35 subsidiaries and operating in more than 15 countries have started a hotel project at Sidi Fredj. The hotel will be built on over 10,000 sq. meters with a total area of 80,000 sq. meters.
Another important investor is Saudi businessman Tarek Bin Laden. He announced he would invest $50 billion on the construction of an integrated tourist city for pensioners from European countries on the Algerian coast. The project, Nour, developed by the Saudi contractor would include luxurious facilities, private clubs and high-quality health services. It could extend over 1,500 square kilometers and may acquire the status of a free zone.
Algeria has other projects similar to the one pertaining to an investment company concerning entertainment and hospitality, constituted by a group of Algerian, Tunisian and American operators. This $4 billion project is in the area of Boudouaou navy tourism extension.
The Algerian government is trying to convince domestic investors and to establish a greater bond of trust between the government and the private sector. Tourism development also involves professional training. The objective of the Algerian authorities is to train a hundred thousand people by 2015. For this, two special schools, out of seven, will be launched in April this year. After the international colloquium on tourism, Algeria took part in the five-day World Tourism Fair of Paris — “Le Monde à Paris” (MAP 2008) — from March 13 to 17.
Out of some 300 destinations selected by the “World in Paris” (MAP 2008), Algeria’s stand, covering over 153 square meters, was staffed by some 40 operators, including national tourism offices along with other tourist operators and hotels. A good communication system concerning Algeria as a destination and Algerian tourist products was in place.
On the sidelines of the Paris exhibition, Tourism Minister Cherif Rahmani announced the establishment in France of “Algeria House,” which is intended to “be a showcase” and “a representative institution” of the country. “We aim at correcting and promoting Algeria’s image, and improving national tourist products through ‘Algeria House,’ which is meant to be a place for communication and marketing Algerian products in France which is an important market for us.”
Algeria is determined to develop tourism, and for that it will have to eliminate terrorism, bolster the country’s image and pursue a real strategy that involves undertaking necessary reforms to remove administrative inertia to give confidence to domestic or foreign investors.
