In 2024, Algeria welcomed over 3.5 million foreign tourists, representing a noteworthy achievement with a 10% increase compared to 2023. In addition, 500,000 domestic travelers contributed to this growth, reflecting a 10% rise in domestic tourism.
The Algerian authorities have set an ambitious goal for 2030: to attract 12 million foreign tourists. According to the authority, achieving this goal relies on leveraging the country's exceptional natural assets and enhancing its cultural and historical assets.
Algeria's diverse landscapes, ranging from Mediterranean beaches to vast Saharan expanses, are significant assets for attracting tourists from around the globe. Additionally, the quality of tourism services is a top priority for the government, which aims to improve travel experience and enhance hospitality facilities' competitiveness, as officials stated.
One of the most promising segments of Algerian tourism is the Sahara. Algeria has enhanced this unique asset by organizing events like the Saharan Tourism Festival, which showcases this fascinating region. These initiatives, along with investments in tourism infrastructure, are seen as key strategies to attract an increasing number of visitors.
Since 2022, the government has also focused on making visa access easier by introducing a visa-on-arrival option for foreign tourists, significantly simplifying administrative procedures. The Algerian authorities are counting on modernizing the sector, mainly through implementing the Master Plan for Tourism Development (Sdat 2030). This plan aims to diversify the national economy and create jobs. It includes improving the quality of training in schools and tourist institutes and providing land for investors. In the long term, the outlook is even more ambitious: to reach 14 million tourists by 2035 and position tourism as a key sector of the country's economy.