Algerian Radio
The Advisor to the Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Industries, Naima Hadjam, announced that Algeria will host, starting this Monday, the activities of the 25th edition of the International Tourism and Travel Fair, organized under the theme "Algeria: Authentic Tourism and Sustainable Development," with wide participation from local and international stakeholders in the tourism sector.
Speaking on Sunday on the program "L'invité du jour" on the First Radio Channel, Naima Hadjam confirmed that this event constitutes a major platform for promoting Algerian tourism. It reflects the political will of the State to develop the sector and make it a fundamental pillar of the national economy, while preserving the country's authenticity and adhering to the principles of sustainable development.
The same official explained that the fair will see the participation of nearly 450 stakeholders and actors in the tourism field from various wilayas of the country, alongside an expected international participation of more than 41 countries from different continents. She considered this evidence of the growing status of Algeria as a promising tourist destination.
Remarkable International Presence and Chad as Guest of Honor
She added that Chad will be the guest of honor for this edition, with an official delegation led by the Chadian Minister of Tourism. Several tourism cooperation agreements are expected to be signed between the two countries, in the context of the growing political and economic rapprochement following the recent visit of the Chadian President to Algeria.
Hadjam indicated that this participation will open the door for Algerian operators to discover Chad's tourism potential and work on developing joint and integrated tourism circuits between the two countries.
She also affirmed that the fair will be an opportunity to conclude similar agreements with the other participating foreign delegations, especially given the new measures taken by the Algerian authorities to encourage the flow of foreign tourists, notably the facilitation of visa issuance at border crossings.
Algeria: A Tourist Destination Attracting Foreigners
In the same context, the official revealed a notable increase in the interest of foreign tourists in the Algerian destination over the past two years. She attributed this to promotional activities on social media following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the development of digital tourism, which has given Algerian tourism a new breath and contributed to increasing curiosity about the country's cultural and natural specificities.
She highlighted that public authorities are working to increase the volume of foreign tourist flows through a set of measures, including the adoption of the "settlement visa" or what is known as the visa on arrival, in addition to encouraging investment in tourism infrastructure through granting privileges and incentives to investors and economic operators.
She also revealed that work is underway to develop new tourism circuits that meet the expectations of foreign tourists, improve service quality, and raise the level of training for human resources working in the sector. This also includes addressing the shortage in tourism guides, brochures, and tour guides, while granting greater opportunities for young people to engage in this field within an organized and regulated framework.
Revival of Religious Tourism and Oran as a Rising Tourist Destination
In the midst of this dynamic, Ms. Hadjam affirmed that many predominantly Christian countries have shown increasing interest in religious tourism in Algeria, particularly concerning the path of Saint Augustine, following the recent historic visit of His Holiness the Pope to Algeria.
She also pointed to the growing interest of foreign tourists in discovering the cultural specificities of the Algerian provinces (wilayas), particularly Oran, which has become one of the most prominent rising tourist destinations in the country.
