Summer Tourism Season 2026 Launched in Tizi Ouzou as Government Targets 220,000 Hotel Beds by 2029
BY Dr. Hana Saada
TIZI OUZOU — Algeria officially launched its summer tourism season 2026 on Sunday from the coastal wilaya of Tizi Ouzou, in an event attended by senior government officials led by Interior Minister Saïd Sayoud, alongside the Ministers of Public Works and Infrastructure Abdelkader Djellaoui and Tourism and Handicrafts Houria Meddahi, as well as the Director-General of Civil Protection, according to official statements.
The opening ceremony, held in Azeffoun, marked the start of the national summer programme, with authorities highlighting the strategic significance of the region’s coastal and mountainous assets in supporting domestic tourism and regional development.
The event also included the operational launch of the first section of the aerial cable car project linking the wilaya headquarters to Sidi Belloua Hospital over a 1.8-kilometre stretch, part of broader efforts to strengthen urban transport infrastructure and ease mobility constraints. Officials further announced the commencement of works on a second extension of the system, spanning 1.1 kilometres to Rajouna village.
Implemented in partnership with an international operator and “Metro d’Alger”, the project falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, within a framework aimed at improving transport quality and modernising urban mobility systems.
In her remarks, Tourism Minister Houria Meddahi described Tizi Ouzou as a “strategic tourism hub” combining coastal resorts, cultural heritage, and mountainous landscapes, stressing that the region reflects the diversity of Algeria’s tourism potential.
She said the seasonal launch goes beyond leisure activities, framing it as part of a broader state strategy to position tourism as a driver of economic diversification and sustainable development under presidential guidelines.
Meddahi outlined a national roadmap targeting structural transformation of the sector between 2026 and 2028, with a focus on competitiveness, investment attraction, and service modernisation. Central to the strategy is domestic tourism, which she described as a key pillar for sustainable economic activity and job creation.
The minister announced that Algeria aims to increase hotel capacity to 220,000 beds by 2029, noting that the current coastal capacity stands at around 104,000 beds across 901 hotels. She added that 39 new hotels are expected to open this summer season, further expanding hospitality infrastructure in coastal wilayas.
According to Meddahi, digital transformation is also advancing across the sector, with 70 percent of coastal hotels now offering digital booking and electronic payment systems. She also referenced regulatory measures issued in May 2026 to organise the hospitality framework and improve service standards.
The ministry is additionally promoting “home-stay” tourism as a complementary model, particularly for middle-income families, with an emphasis on safety, accessibility, and local economic inclusion.
Officials present at the launch described the programme as part of a wider national effort to enhance tourism infrastructure, promote domestic travel, and strengthen Algeria’s attractiveness as a regional destination.
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