Algeria displays its tourist assets in the Sahara in Ghardaïa, with the launch this Friday of the 5th edition of the international festival of Saharan tourism.
This kickoff of this event was given by the Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Yacine Hamadi.
The Minister of Tourism who visited, in the morning, the stands of exhibitors animated in particular by craftsmen and travel agencies, was accompanied by the Minister of Culture and the Arts, Soraya Mouloudji.
This international event, which will last three days, saw the participation of 24 ways from the south of the country as well as diplomatic representatives and tour operators from several African and European countries.
Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, this new edition of Saharan tourism aims to promote the tourist potential of southern Algeria.
Asked by TSA about the strategy deployed by his department to promote Saharan tourism, the Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts replied: “The State is making a lot of efforts which are reflected in particular through the organization of such fairs which aim to give impetus to Saharan tourism”.
“This event helps to relaunch tourism by promoting the potential and diversity of the tourist heritage. With a very diversified Algerian tourist offer, Algeria has great potential in terms of Saharan tourism. Tassili Ahaggar is a cultural and natural heritage that has more than 8,000 years of history. The great civilization of Tassili testifies to successive generations the richness of our thousand-year-old history. Algeria conceals immense potential which extends from the oases in the east, to the dunes of the Saoura in the west, passing through the Ksours of Ghardaïa,” the minister explained.
The choice to encourage Saharan tourism aims to “diversify the tourist offer by growing a deposit to be exploited and launching innovative products intended for both our Algerian compatriots and the international market”, added the Minister.
“Destination Algeria”
Yacine Hamadi believes that “the fact that this show attracted many tourism players, including many foreigners, is an excellent indicator.”
“We are working to promote Saharan tourism in order to build an attractive tourist offer that meets the needs of foreign and national tourists”, he added.
Yacine Hamadi details how Algeria intends to become a tourist destination of choice for national and foreign tourists.
“We have put in place a roadmap entitled “Destination Algeria”, to which we have mobilized resources and brought together the conditions necessary for its success. We have also, among other things, classified protected areas which include oases and other sites to be preserved,” he said.
To promote “Destination Algeria”, concrete measures have already been taken. “We have also taken measures to strengthen international air links serving southern Algeria. A direct flight linking Paris to Djanet which will be inaugurated on December 17, will be the starting point for a strengthening of air services”, listed the Minister.
This Algiers – Djanet line will be followed by the launch of other flights to connect the regions of the Sahara with foreign countries such as France and Italy.
“A charter flight is scheduled once a week between Paris and Djanet. All regions of the Sahara will be concerned by a strengthening of air services. We have entered into a partnership targeting the Italian market which concerns archaeological tourism. We have already received three groups of tourists. We are in negotiations with Russian tour operators to launch seaside tours and in the Sahara,” says Arezki Tahar, CEO of the National Tourist Office (ONAT).
Saharan tourism is a “flagship product of Destination Algeria. Its development is everyone’s business and requires synergy between several players from several sectors that have a direct or indirect relationship with the tourism sector. We are working to promote “Destination Algeria” first with our national tourists to encourage them to discover their country, then to attract foreign tourists”, underlines Saliha Nacer Bey, General Manager of the office. National Tourist Office (ONT).
On the program of this international festival, the organizers have planned a conference on Saharan tourism and sustainable development which will be led by teachers from the University of Ghardaïa. Tour operators and international journalists are also invited to tours in the Sahara.
