The Tourism Sector in Algeria

Abstract:

The tourism sector in Algeria is in a paradox situation; on one hand we notice a deficit in accommodation capacity, in marketing, a lack of know-how in hostelry and restaurant… etc.

On the other hand, we find an attractive image and a shining touristic potentials and capacities. This situation may explain the Algerian poor position in the list of the best targeted destinations for tourism in North Africa and more generally in the African continent.

In both public and private sectors, the Algerian officials were slow to react to changes in tourism markets especially with the emergence of the Eastern Europe and transfers of technology. The involvement of professional bodies in the animation of this important economic niche is required to allow better coordination of actions at regional and local levels.

Algeria, ill-placed in this particular area, has no choice. But it is opting for an effective partnership in order to rationally exploit its potential in tourism by adopting a new strategy.

But the questions asked are: Why tourism in Algeria is not as developed as the neighboring countries? What are the strategies we can adopt to develop tourism in Algeria?

Introduction:

Tourism is one of the leading sectors to propel growth, and active construction of a dynamic structure; economically, culturally, and socially. Tourism has become relatively more important in the most developed economies by capturing the high income, increasing its contribution in the generation of the overall national income, boosting employment opportunities, attracting investments, contributing significantly to the reform of the disequilibrium in trade balances and effectively contributing to the development of international economic relations.

According to the data on global tourism, both internal and external, this tourism industry has become one of the largest industries in the world if not the largest ever. The number of tourists in various parts of the world increased from about 900 million tourists in 2007 to 922 million in 2008. The total tourist spending for the year 2008 was about 944 billion dollars, and some regional tourism bodies expect that the number of tourists in the whole world may be more than 1.6 billion tourists by 2020, accounting for about 2000 billion dollars in terms of expenditure. This clearly makes tourism at the forefront of global industries.

Why tourism in Algeria is not as developed as the neighboring countries? How can we promote tourism in Algeria?

In order to answer these questions, this research