Algiers – The Algerian government has reaffirmed its commitment to the €750 travel grant, a program initiated by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to support citizens vacationing abroad. Minister of Interior, Local Authorities, and Transportation, Said Saayoud, emphasized that the grant remains in effect and there are no plans to discontinue it, asserting it as a fundamental right for Algerian citizens.
Speaking before the National People’s Assembly during a discussion on traffic law amendments, Minister Saayoud stated that the government is strengthening the legal framework surrounding the disbursement of the travel grant. This move aims to prevent its misuse and combat fraudulent activities perpetrated by certain brokers and travel agencies.
To enhance transparency and ensure proper utilization of the funds, authorities are considering requiring beneficiaries to possess a bank card. This measure would facilitate tracking the grant’s disbursement and verifying its intended purpose. The Minister highlighted instances of illegal practices, including travel agencies exploiting loopholes by transporting individuals to Tunisia legally, obtaining passport stamps, and then facilitating their return to Algeria through unofficial border crossings, all in an attempt to illicitly claim the travel grant.
Minister Saayoud revealed that approximately 5,000 buses crossed into Tunisia during November and December, a period not typically associated with high Algerian tourism. This unusual surge raised concerns from both Algerian and Tunisian authorities and was discussed during a joint Algerian-Tunisian cooperation committee meeting.
Investigations uncovered the exploitation of around 100,000 unemployed individuals in these fraudulent schemes. Minister Saayoud described these numbers as “alarming,” prompting authorities to suspend bus travel to Tunisia and implement a prior authorization system for border crossings. The Minister noted that no formal requests for such authorization have been registered to date, suggesting a disruption of the fraudulent activity.
