Coordination meeting for the development of domestic and Saharan tourism

Coordination meeting to implement President of the Republic's directives for preparing a comprehensive and effective action plan for developing domestic tourism and Saharan tourism.

Ms Houria Meddahi, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, chaired a coordination meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the Ministry's headquarters, in the presence of central Ministry officials, as well as the General Director of the Hotel, Tourism, and Metal Bathing Complex (GHTT), the General Director of the National Algerian Tourism Office (ONAT), the National Federation of Hotels and Tourism (FNHT) President, the National Association of Travel Agents (ANAV) President, and a representative from the National Tourism Office (ONT).

Madam Minister stated at the outset of the meeting that this gathering marks the actual launch of implementing the directives of the President of the Republic, to prepare a clear, comprehensive, and actionable work plan, with defined implementation timelines.

As Madam Minister emphasized, the objective of this plan is to make #DomesticTourism a preferred choice for Algerian families and a driver of local economic growth, by doubling the volume of domestic tourists through high-quality, competitive local alternatives, with this plan focusing on the following axes:

Diversifying the tourism product and pricing adaptation to develop family tourism:

Regarding coastal and mountain tourism, this plan relies on restructuring tourism offerings and avoiding a sole focus on hotel-based models, instead emphasizing investment in tourism accommodation projects and tourism villages, and promoting stay-at-home and family camping options across coastal and inland regions.

Promotion of family-oriented packages with integrated, fully designed family tourism packages at competitive prices, coordinated with public and private sector institutions and social services committees.

Digitization and development of the booking system:

Through the development of a unified platform for booking accommodation and electronic payment.

Supporting emerging institutions specialized in developing applications in the fields of #Digitization, tourism promotion, and family tourism offerings.

Service quality training:

Implemented standards for service quality and pricing policy.

Launch of short-term training programs for the category of tourist reception staff and tourist attendants, tourism institution managers, and tourism and travel agency directors.

Regarding the Implementation Plan for the Development of #SaharanTourism, Madam Minister emphasized that the objective is to make Algeria's Sahara the top destination for adventure and exploration tourism, cultural and environmental tourism in North Africa, thanks to the Sahara's unique and distinctive geographical, cultural, and historical diversity, in order to build a sustainable and safe Saharan tourism sector, with the goal of attracting 1.5 million tourists by 2029.

Where the plan aims to develop Saharan tourism around the following axes:

Infrastructure and Networks: And this is:

Direct routes established from European and Asian capitals to southern airports (Djanet, Tamanrasset, Adrar, and Wargla, Timimoun).

Boosting domestic trips: attractive prices during the #SaharanTourism season (October to April).

Expand the visa system upon arrival to include promising U.S. tourist states, involving a larger number of authorized and accredited travel and tourism agencies in a documented manner.

Improving coverage of communication and internet networks in major tourist areas.

Accommodation and Tourism Investment Model:

Madam Minister also issued instructions on:

Reducing the construction of large concrete hotels deep in the Sahara and replacing them with luxury glamping sites and eco-hotels powered by solar energy and locally sourced building materials, while highlighting local architectural styles—this will allow tourists to immerse themselves in the unique Sahara environment, its natural beauty, and the warm hospitality of its welcoming inhabitants.

Ensuring support for residency accommodation for residents and encouraging families to welcome tourists in ancient palaces and the role of hospitality.

Marketing and Promotion and Digitization:

Creation of a unified platform for booking trips featuring a diverse range of tourist products and information on tourist guides and desert campsites.

Establishing international tourism and cultural festivals annually (such as the Sbeibeh Festival in Djanet, the Sbeouc Festival in Timimoun, and the Sahara Rally).

Training and Capacity Building:

Training Saharan tourism guides in foreign languages, first aid, environmental protection, and professionalism in dealing with tourists.

Responsible and Sustainable Tourism:

Implemented strict standards and procedures against pollution or damage to archaeological heritage (such as Tassili n'Ajjer reserve).

Comprehensive reliance on renewable energies in tourism investment projects in the Sahara.

Tourism product diversification:

Launch of thematic tourist routes: Adventure and exploration hiking trail (Jant, Tamanrasset, Hoggar, and Tassili).

Cultural and exploratory tourism: visiting ancient palaces, fquarats (traditional irrigation systems), and enjoying local music.

Madam Minister concluded the meeting by underscoring that the success of this national development plan for #Tourism remains tied to strengthening coordination and integration among various sectors (tourism, interior, transport, local communities, culture, and environment). She emphasized the need to make local tourism associations and local tourism offices, as well as all local stakeholders, key partners in designing and implementing tourism programs and initiatives, ensuring the sustainability of tourism development, and enhancing its contribution to local economic activation and job creation.

Madam Minister invited all stakeholders in the sector, officials under institutional supervision, and all partners and actors within the tourism ecosystem to fully mobilize and actively engage in implementing the directives of the President of the Republic, each within their respective areas of responsibility, by effectively contributing to the preparation and execution of a comprehensive, integrated, and effective action plan, and to develop #DomesticTourism and #SaharanTourism in order to highlight Algeria's natural and historical assets and enhance the image of Algeria as a #SustainableAndSafeTouristDestination.

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