The Engineering of Territorial Tourism Study Case of Algeria

Introduction

Economic diversification has been considered since the 1930s as an important issue for national trade and industrial policies. Having said this, it is safe to say that many economic contributions have shown the benefits of diversification in terms of risk reduction and the contribution of diversification to the development process. The external trade in Algeria has been strictly controlled by the state during the period of 1970 to 1986. After this date, and the sharp fall of the international oil prices, the Algerian state started to think about opening the economy to the external world; the state opened its market progressively, rather than suddenly. This openness coupled with the political circumstances that existed in Algeria at the time has led to strong economic and social instability. In 1999 and 2000, Algeria fought against the social strife and escaped the black decade. Consequently, the government reconsidered the trade policy and the openness of the market. From 2000-2008, the external trade was characterized by freedom and free exchange zones. In 2009, Algeria reassessed the adhesion to the free exchange zones, and worked on the limitation of imports as one of the tools to boost domestic production” (Elhannani and al, 2018).

Furthermore, Algeria suffers from recession investments and they are looking for ways to revitalize. Also, with regard to the sector of hydrocarbons, the business tourism is a vital sector that presents one of the means to break with the dependence of the Algerian economy, as one of the most important oil-exporting countries. It is, therefore, one of the ways of diversifying our country's economy.

Today and in view of a favourable global context, the potential for supporting the tourism industry is significant in Algeria. Geography and history give together to Algeria significant assets. The diversity of its landscapes and the vestiges of its history offer it the opportunity to develop several types of tourism. Indeed, one of Algeria's assets -in terms of tourism- is the vast Sahara and huge Saharan areas which are classified as world cultural heritage (Tassili, Hoggars, M'zab Valley). The diversity of the landscapes found here vast areas covered to infinity, dunes, immense rocky hills, and mountains with majestic shapes and dotted with oases, allow the development of different forms of tourism.

Figure 1.

Geographical map of the wilayas of Algeria

Source:www.wikipedia.org/Geographical map of the wilayas of Algeria (2018)

Our reflection began with a simple observation and this chapter aims to identify the specificities of the tourism sector in Algeria. Examining the strengths and weaknesses of this sector, its opportunities and threats will help to understand the current strategic directions. Therefore, we asked about the possibility of diversifying the economy in Algeria, by giving more interest to the tourism industry. The goal of this research is particularly adjusted to this problem. Since, on the one hand, tourism in Algeria has the resources to become a major destination on a regional or even global scale, today. The Mediterranean area represents the largest share of tourist flows worldwide, but Algeria is largely excluded. And, on the other hand, tourism development is obligatory and no longer a choice. The State, through the National Tourism Development Agency, claims to be the great prime contractor for tourism development as an essential factor in supporting the country's economic growth.