Preparing a national forum on thermal tourism and the modernisation of treatment facilities in Biskra

Preparatory meeting in the Biskra region to organize the #NationalForum on promoting #ThermalTourism and upgrading #TherapeuticSites

Ms. Houria Meddahi, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, chaired on Monday, August 17, 2026, a meeting dedicated to preparing the organization of the National Forum on promoting thermal tourism, with the presence of Mr. President and Director General of the National Algerian Tourism Office (ONAT), Mr. Director General of the National Tourism Office (ONT), and a representative from the Hotel, Tourism, and Metal Bath Complex (GHTT), alongside several central ministry officials.

This forum aims to establish a roadmap for modernizing the thermal sector, improving the quality of therapeutic and hotel services, and attracting local and international #Investment to maximize Algeria's natural thermal resources.

Madam Minister emphasized during the meeting the importance of #ThermalTourism as one of the authentic components of Algerian tourism, particularly due to its close ties with Algerian families, and the spaces it offers for relaxation, leisure, treatment, and benefit from the natural resources our country boasts.

It also highlighted that thermal tourism is characterized by a year-round appeal, making it a key component of diversifying the #NationalTourismShowcase and promoting #DomesticTourism.

In this context, Madam Minister emphasized the importance of recognizing the valuable asset represented by #TheChmouaStations belonging to the public sector, which the state has completed, and working on improving their utilization level and developing their services in line with their capabilities and roles in serving Algerian families.

It concerns, in particular, a portfolio comprising eight (08) metallic stations and two (02) seawater treatment centers, operated by the hotel, tourism, and metallic bath complex (GHTT), located across various provinces of the country, especially Guelma, Aïn El Guettar, Sidi Bou Said, Béchar, Sétif, Aïn Témouchent, Aïn Dalfel, and Tlemcen, as well as the historical Hammam Essalihine in Khenchela province, considered one of the historical and tourist landmarks.

It was also emphasized on the importance of recognizing and promoting the status of the private-sector Hammouine stations, located in several provinces, especially Guelma, Skoura, and Ghardaïa, within the national tourism offering.

On the other hand, attracting investment and promoting private investment in thermal tourism is one of the key axes, given Algeria's vast potential, whether through the richness and diversity of its natural resources, including thermal waters with various therapeutic properties, or through the coastal strip's promising opportunities for establishing and developing specialized centers for marine therapy and leisure.

It was also emphasized on the importance of integrating #ThermalTourism into a comprehensive vision for national tourism development, linking treatment, leisure, relaxation, and entertainment with #FamilyTourism, and leveraging the natural, historical, and cultural potentials surrounding the Hammam sites, thus enabling the creation of integrated and marketable tourism products throughout the year.

In this regard, Madam Minister stated that the #NationalForum should not be limited to presenting the current state of thermal tourism and its potentials, but rather should serve as an practical platform for diagnosing the situation, identifying bottlenecks, exploring investment opportunities, sharing experiences and expertise, and proposing new mechanisms for enhancing this type of tourism.

Madam Minister emphasized the need to ensure high-quality, directly relevant participation linked to the theme and objectives of the forum, involving all stakeholders and actors concerned with thermal tourism and investment, as well as professionals, economic operators, project holders, and experts, in order to enrich the discussions and reach realistic, impactful proposals.

Among the main proposed themes for the forum:

Digitization and Modern Marketing: Integrating digitization and developing modern booking services, as well as promoting the Hammamet destinations through digital platforms.

Medical and Therapeutic Axis: Integration of standards applied in marine and mineral water therapy, and human resource training.

Marketing and promotional axis: integrating the Chhamoua stations into national tourism routes and promoting them through tourism and travel agencies.

Regulatory axis: promoting public-private partnerships and modernizing traditional stations.

Preparation of a comprehensive #NationalGuide on the Chhamo capabilities and seawater treatment stations.

Establishment of the #MonitoringCommittee to implement the decisions and recommendations of the Forum under the authority of the Ministry.

In this regard, Madam Minister listened to the various proposals presented by the attendees regarding the themes and content of the forum and how it should be organized, as well as the nature of the participants and stakeholders who should be involved, emphasizing the need for this event to lead to #ClearOutcomes and #PracticalRecommendations that are actionable, forming the foundation for establishing a practical pathway to enhance thermal tourism and highlight its qualifications, thereby strengthening its role as one of the pillars of #DomesticTourism and #NationalEconomy.

Post shared by the Office Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts - Algeria.