Tourism Federation Calls for Integrated Thermal Sector

Abd al-Wahhab Boulfkhad, head of the National Federation of Hoteliers and Tourism, highlighted Algeria's extensive natural endowment of hundreds of thermal and mineral springs. He noted the significant untapped potential in exploiting these resources, which underpins a call for a dedicated national strategy to fully develop the thermal tourism sector.

The proposed strategy seeks to elevate thermal tourism beyond its current therapeutic focus, transforming it into a comprehensive tourism product. This integrated approach would combine health and wellness with recreation, sports, and entertainment. Furthermore, the plan includes integrating cultural and desert tourism elements, offering a more diverse and appealing experience to visitors.

To achieve this transformation, the national strategy emphasizes crucial pillars for growth. These include encouraging robust investment, fostering public-private partnerships, and embracing digitization, electronic booking systems, and international promotional efforts. According to Boulfkhad, leveraging these natural assets through a well-defined strategy can establish thermal tourism as a vital contributor to economic diversification and local development across Algeria.