Tourism
From The Report: Algeria 2014
View in Online Reader

Despite its unique natural and historical heritage, Algeria’s tourism sector has long struggled to transform into an important component of the country’s economy. Nonetheless, new government incentives, along with private initiatives to expand existing hotel capacity, are helping to modernise the sector, which has historically been sidelined by government focus on other economic activities. Although Algeria is in a prime location to attract many tourists, the country has sought to avoid mass-market tourism in an effort to maintain high-quality offerings. The role of the tourism sector in the economy is expected to continue on an upward trend, although this evolution will most likely happen at a slow pace. As Algeria aims to attract more travellers from traditional markets such as France, Spain or Germany, it will be competing with more developed destinations such as Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey.

This chapter contains an interview with Frtiz Van Paasschen, CEO, Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Enhanced infrastructure and human resources training to give tourism its rightful place in the economy
OBG
plus

Despite its unique natural and historical heritage, Algeria’s tourism sector has long struggled to transform into an important component of the country’s economy. The tourism industry was positively galvanised after independence in 1962, and the North African country experienced relative success in attracting visitors during the 1960s and 1970s. However, much has changed in subsequent decades. Underdevelopment of tourism infrastructure, coupled with insufficient promotion of the country’s…

Interview

OBG talks to Frits van Paasschen, CEO, Starwood Hotels and Resorts
OBG
plus

Interview: Frits van Paasschen What factors have driven North African growth? FRITS VAN PAASSCHEN: Africa is home to many of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and there could not be a better time to expand capacity here. With increasing stability, vastly improving infrastructure, rapid economic growth and a booming mobile industry, this is Africa’s shining moment. As a region filled with emerging markets, North Africa offers several exciting opportunities for business growth, and the…

Analysis

Pushing for additional private investment into the sector through the strengthening of tourism development zones
OBG
plus

Establishing the right type of incentives to attract private investment has commonly been one of the major challenges authorities have faced in developing the tourism sector. To solve this, the Algerian government has been strengthening a score of Tourism Investment Zones (Zone d’Expansion Touristique, ZET) across the country to try to funnel private investment into the regions. The results have nonetheless been mixed, with excessive bureaucracy remaining one of the key challenges faced by investors…