Why does Algeria lag behind Morocco and Tunisia in tourism?

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Algeria's Tourism Sector Lags Behind Competitors Due to Historical Neglect and Systemic Obstacles

Algeria's tourism sector has significantly lagged behind that of neighbouring Morocco and Tunisia primarily due to a historical lack of focus on tourism development, exacerbated by an inflexible visa system and inadequate transport infrastructure. While Morocco welcomed 14.5 million visitors in 2023, Algeria hosted only 3.3 million foreign tourists, a substantial portion of whom were from the diaspora visiting family. This disparity highlights decades of underdevelopment in a sector with immense potential, including rich historical sites, diverse landscapes, and proximity to Europe.
Historical Factors and Economic Priorities

The significant gap in tourism numbers can be traced back to Algeria's economic priorities in the mid-20th century. As Algeria's oil and gas revenues surged during the 1960s and 1970s, successive governments redirected attention and resources away from developing mass tourism. This reliance on hydrocarbon wealth meant that the tourism sector, which could offer alternative economic diversification, was largely neglected. Further compounding these issues, political instability and strife during the 1990s pushed the country further away from international tourist attention, hindering any nascent development efforts.
Systemic Obstacles to Tourist Inflows

Current analyses point to specific systemic barriers that continue to impede Algeria's tourism growth. Key among these are an inflexible visa system, which can deter potential visitors seeking ease of travel, and poor transport links, making it more challenging to access and navigate the country's attractions. These logistical challenges, coupled with a need to offer greater incentives and privileges to both local and foreign private investors, are seen as critical areas requiring reform to foster a more dynamic and competitive tourism industry.
Ambitious Goals Amidst Current Challenges

Despite these considerable challenges, Algeria has set an ambitious target to attract 12 million tourists by 2030. To achieve this fourfold increase, the National Tourism Office is actively seeking to encourage investment and improve facilities for potential investors. Plans are underway to construct new hotels and modernise existing ones, with approximately 800 tourism projects currently under construction out of 2,000 approved. Furthermore, the country is focusing on its historical assets, with 249 sites identified for tourism expansion, of which 70 are prepared and 50 are undergoing restoration, indicating a renewed, albeit challenging, push towards revitalising its tourism sector.

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Why does Algeria lag behind Morocco and Tunisia in tourism?

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