Revitalizing Desert Tourism: Abdelaziz Talhi Discusses the Future of Southern Algeria’s Tourism Industry (The Algerian Sahara Series 04)
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | December 17th, 2024 — In an insightful interview with El Ayem News, Abdelaziz Talhi, the President of SADA El-Djazaïr, a prominent association dedicated to promoting and developing tourism in Algeria, shed light on the association’s efforts to boost desert tourism and its vital role in the national economy. He emphasized the importance of traditional crafts, which are integral to the tourism experience, while also addressing the significant challenges hindering the sector’s growth.
El Ayem News: What are the primary objectives of the ‘SADA El-Djazaïr’ association, and how does it contribute to the promotion of desert tourism in Algeria?
Abdelaziz Talhi: The association is an independent body established with the vision of aligning with contemporary developments in the tourism sector. At ‘SADA El-Djazaïr’, we focus on organizing cultural festivals and activities that showcase the diversity and beauty of Algeria’s cultural heritage. Our efforts are aimed at promoting desert tourism, positioning Algeria as a global tourist destination that blends authenticity with cultural richness. Through these initiatives, we hope to elevate the standing of desert tourism, making it a key pillar in the country’s broader tourism strategy.
El Ayem News: What added value does desert tourism bring to Algeria’s economy?
Abdelaziz Talhi: Desert tourism offers immense added value to Algeria’s economy, especially as a significant segment of the country’s tourism industry. While coastal and thermal tourism also play vital roles, desert tourism stands out due to its unique ability to attract a large number of international visitors. It represents a promising avenue for economic growth, and with government efforts under Algeria’s Vision 2030 and the 2025 strategic plan, we aim to leverage desert tourism as a key source of foreign exchange. Currently, Algeria welcomes between 30,000 and 40,000 foreign tourists annually, but with continued investment and promotion, we hope to raise this figure to 300,000-400,000 in the next two years. By 2030, the number could reach one million, underscoring desert tourism’s potential to showcase Algeria’s rich cultural heritage and contribute significantly to the economy.
El Ayem News: What are the main challenges hindering the development of desert tourism in Algeria, and how can they be overcome?
Abdelaziz Talhi: The primary challenges facing desert tourism development are the lack of investment, particularly in establishing adequate and suitable hospitality infrastructure. The vast, pristine desert landscape of Algeria offers unparalleled natural beauty but lacks the necessary tourism infrastructure to cater to the growing demand. This shortcoming limits the sector’s ability to attract more tourists.
To address these challenges, we propose innovative projects such as the creation of desert villages designed to integrate with the local environment. Similar to successful ventures abroad, like the ‘Antelopes’ village in Aqaba, Jordan, these eco-friendly tourist villages could bridge the gap by offering an authentic and aesthetically pleasing experience for visitors. If such models are implemented in Algeria’s southern regions, they could play a pivotal role in boosting desert tourism and transforming the region into a global destination.
El Ayem News: How can NGOs and associations like ‘SADA El-Djazaïr’ contribute to promoting desert tourism and attracting both local and foreign tourists?
Abdelaziz Talhi: NGOs and associations play a crucial role in tourism promotion by spotlighting Algeria’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. At ‘SADA El-Djazaïr’, we believe in the power of marketing Algerian civilization, including its traditions, customs, and traditional crafts, which form an integral part of the national identity. These crafts not only offer a unique cultural experience for tourists but can also become a sustainable source of income for local communities in tourist regions.
El Ayem News: What strategies does the association employ to market desert tourism both locally and internationally? And how does the association collaborate with government entities in this regard?
Abdelaziz Talhi: Our marketing strategies focus on both local and international promotion. Locally, we rely heavily on social media as a powerful tool for outreach, in addition to media appearances by our association’s leaders on TV and radio channels. We also publish written articles to raise awareness about desert tourism. These efforts aim to encourage local tourists to choose Algeria’s southern regions as their preferred destination, boosting the local economy by reducing outflow of foreign currency and fostering capital movement between northern and southern Algeria.
On the international front, we collaborate closely with regional tourism directorates, particularly in southern Algeria, to organize events such as seminars and workshops aimed at promoting desert tourism. We also focus on entrepreneurship by organizing sessions on how to establish small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in the field of traditional crafts, which can significantly enhance desert tourism.
El Ayem News: How would you assess the current state of infrastructure and tourism services in the desert regions? What improvements are needed to make these areas more attractive to tourists?
Abdelaziz Talhi: Currently, the infrastructure and tourism services in southern Algeria are underdeveloped compared to the vast potential of these regions. Although the southern desert, or “Grand South,” boasts diverse resources such as thermal tourism, kasbah tourism, religious tourism, and archaeological sites, the existing infrastructure, like the National Tourism Offices’ accommodations and small hotels, fail to meet the expectations of international visitors.
Improvement is urgently needed, especially in terms of accommodation and transportation. One of our proposed solutions is to invest in training human resources in these areas, ensuring that local communities are equipped with the skills needed to serve the tourism sector effectively. This includes offering certifications and fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship in the hospitality and crafts industries.
El Ayem News: What are the association’s future plans for developing desert tourism in Algeria?
Abdelaziz Talhi: Our future plans focus primarily on human resource development in the southern regions of Algeria. We believe that there is tremendous untapped potential among the youth in the south, whose innovative ideas and energy need guidance and training to be transformed into tangible projects that can benefit the tourism industry.
We aim to support the Algerian government’s initiatives by contributing to the training of local talent and assisting in the establishment of small businesses in the traditional crafts sector. These crafts are not only a part of our national heritage but can also become a cornerstone for developing the tourism industry. Our goal is to build a robust framework for desert tourism that integrates sustainable practices, enhances local livelihoods, and showcases Algeria’s extraordinary cultural and natural resources to the world.
Through its strategic vision and dedication to sustainable tourism practices, SADA El-Djazaïr is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming Algeria’s desert regions into a global tourism hub, driving economic growth and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the country.
Source Text: (Translated with Adaptation)
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