Algerian Radio
The Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Houria Meddahi, proceeded on Saturday in Bejaïa to inaugurate several tourist infrastructures and inspect investment projects related to the sector across several municipalities.
During a working and inspection visit carried out in the company of the Wali of Bejaïa, Kamel-Eddine Kerbouche, the Minister inaugurated three hotels in the municipalities of El Kseur and Bejaïa, and laid the foundation stone for the expansion project of the Les Hammadites Hotel in Tichy.
She also inspected several private investment projects in the municipalities of Souk El Tenine and Melbou (east of the Wilaya).
In a statement to the press at the end of the visit, Mrs. Meddahi indicated that the delivery of these projects, scheduled for completion during the current year, will strengthen the Wilaya's hotel infrastructure and increase its accommodation capacity, thus contributing to establishing a competitive dynamic while generating new jobs.
Furthermore, the Minister insisted on the necessity of delivering projects within the allotted timeframes, highlighting the importance of using qualified labor to guarantee service quality, as well as using locally manufactured materials and equipment, avoiding reliance on imports.
She also underscored the importance of adopting new information and communication technologies through the digitization of marketing, exhibition, reservation, and electronic payment mechanisms, in order to "strengthen the competitiveness of hotel establishments and improve the quality of services provided."
This approach falls within the framework of the State's policy aiming at the digitization of various sectors, particularly tourism, she indicated.
The Minister insisted on the need to ensure price levels consistent with the State's policy regarding support for domestic tourism, while guaranteeing services accessible to Algerian families.
Moreover, she stated that the Wilaya of Bejaïa has 10 Tourist Expansion Zones (ZET), whose tourism development plans have been finalized and studied. These plans will make available tourism land bases meeting the standards and criteria set by the State, with a view to encouraging investment in the sector, she added.
As part of the preparations for the summer season, the Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts inquired about beach development works initiated by local authorities in the municipality of Souk El Tenine, for which a budget of 56 million DA was allocated from the Wilaya's budget.
She also reported the allocation of a budget of more than 13 million DA, within the framework of a centralized operation, for the realization of studies regarding the rehabilitation of nine beaches across the municipalities of Beni Ksila, Bejaïa, and Aokas, with a view to ensuring all necessary conditions to welcome summer vacationers.
