The weakness of the tourist offer in Algeria pushes many Algerians to go to Tunisia to spend their holidays. This is still the case this year, after the reopening of the land borders between the two countries, which were closed for more than two years because of Covid-19.
The Tunisian destination is very popular with Algerians during the summer season because the quality/price ratio in hotels in Tunisian seaside resorts is often better than the sometimes prohibitive prices of hotels in Algeria. Not to mention the mediocre quality of service in Algerian tourist establishments.
Faced with the weakness of the hotel offer, the Ministry of Tourism has taken an initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, to transform university residences into low-cost tourist residences.
7 nights at 12,000 DA
Thus, an agreement was signed on July 20, between the two departments to operate the university residences for accommodation purposes for young people from the southern regions and the wilayas of the interior, who wish to spend a few days at the edge of from the sea at affordable prices.
The operation was launched from the university residence of Zemmouri, in the wilaya of Boumerdes, before the eventual generalization of the experience to all the university residences located on the coast of the country.
The National Office for University Works (ONOU), the Algerian National Tourist Office (ONAT), and Touring Voyages Algérie was responsible for piloting the operation.
The cost of a stay of 7 nights with half board in the residence of Zemmouri is fixed at 12000 DA, declared on Echorouk News, on July 21, the Minister of Tourism, Yacine Hamadi. “ All the conditions will be met ”, he assured while judging that the proposed price was “ affordable ”. To illustrate his point, the Minister took as an example the price of a plane ticket from the southern wilayas which can reach 30,000 DA.
In a statement to Ennahar, the director of university works of the wilaya of Boumerdès, Ali Belbah, indicated that the doors of the “U” city of Zemmouri will have to open on August 1, with the possibility of calling on the residences of Boudouaou and of Corso, located west of Boumerdès, if a very strong demand is recorded. Regarding accommodation costs, the manager estimated them at 1700 DA/day, including breakfast and dinner.
