It is on the occasion of World Tourism Day, September 27, 2017, that Algeria is organizing its first International Trade Fair for Tourism Investment, Equipment and Leisure. The exhibition, under the slogan “A real opportunity for an attractive, competitive and sustainable tourism” will take place from 27 to 30 September 2017, at the Palais des Expositions (SAFEX), Pins Maritimes, Algiers.
By Amel DJAIT
Ayech Salim is the Managing Director of the group TOUBATOURS, organizer of the show, has been struggling for months. He does prospecting on various countries including Spain, Italy, Tunisia …. To date, several Tunisian companies are participating in the event.
For this “agitator of the Algerian tourism sector”, the fair is important because it can give the impetus necessary for the real start of tourism in Algeria. The objective of the fair is to bring together national and international players involved in the value chain of the tourism sector: specialists in the development and realization of tourist infrastructures, equipment manufacturers and technologists, service providers of tourism products, specialists in decoration and design, training structures oriented to the quality and excellence of tourist services …
A series of thematic conferences on the issues of the tourism sector are on the agenda:
- Current situation and diagnosis of tourism potential in Algeria.
- Standards and technical prescriptions for safety and preservation of the environment in the tourist industry.
- Legislation, regulations and validation procedures in the construction of tourist infrastructures.
- Development of a master plan for the development of tourism in Algeria.
On the plate of the Salon we read in particular: “With the variety of its geographical potential: desert, mountains and plateaus, the coastal fringe of 1200 Kms of coastline, Algeria presents infinite potential for promotion and development of tourism . Public authorities through the Ministry in charge of tourism has embarked on a deep policy in tourism investment, considering this sector as a priority in the overall economic approach of the Government. It should be emphasized that the contribution of the tourism sector to Algeria is only 2.5% of GDP, far below the real potential and opportunities of the country. This means that the stakes and challenges of the sector are important and require a pragmatic and voluntarist approach bringing together all players in the tourism sector. “
Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the second largest desert in the world where some sand dunes exceed 150m. The country has 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites (6 cultural and 1 mixed). For further information: https://youtu.be/slS7eKTR-8A
Member of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) since 1976, Algeria begins from 1997, with the relative security lull and a beginning in the improvement of the image of the country abroad, recorded some premises of a nascent interest of tourists. To know more about the figures, Algeria now has a satellite account : http://cf.cdn.unwto.org/sites/all/files/pdf/rscpb_algerie_1atelier_algerie.pdf
A project for tourism development is put in place by the public authorities at the “National and International Tourism Meetings”; Called (Horizon 2025). This one envisages a new dynamics of reception and the management of the tourism in Algeria. To date, the Algerian hotel park, consisting of 1,136 establishments totaling 96,500 beds, is below needs. A comprehensive investment and rehabilitation plan for hotels is underway. Many international hotel chains have signed contracts for the construction of new hotel infrastructures and the management of existing hotels.
As an indication, more than 60 tourist and hotel projects are underway in the city of Algiers alone. The US hotel chain Hyatt will open its first hotel in late 2018 and will offer 326 rooms and a rooftop swimming pool. The Marriott chain is working on 6 projects To date, Sheraton, Golden Tulip, Sofitel, … already operate and have numerous projects in progress.
Finally, the extension of the international airport of Algiers will be completed by the end of 2018. The latter will provide traffic of 10 million passengers per year. Algeria has 11 international airports.
For further information about the show:
