Algerians return to beaches
2005-08-25
After a decade of terrorism, Algerian beaches are crowded again, with record numbers of visitors since 2000.
By Azzedine Bensouiah for Magharebia in Algiers (25/08/05)
 [Getty Images] Algerian families at Tipaza Beach, 70km from Algiers |
Summer is coming to an end and Algerian beaches are still packed with visitors. It is a tangible sign that a decade of terrorism is receding from public consciousness.
With 1200km of coastline, Algeria has considerable tourism assets. But hotel infrastructure has not yet overcome years of stagnation, when domestic and international tourism levels were low.
The picture is changing. The region of Bejaia, 260km east of Algiers, has welcomed 20m visitors in the past few years. It has become the favourite tourist destination for Algerians, outpacing Oran, which is renowned for rai music, discos, and pleasant ambience.
Oran and Annaba have also been hurt by rising crime rates, with many families preferring the quiet and security of Bejaia.
Despite much private investment, tourist demand in Bejaia still exceeds regional ability to accommodate the visitors. Hotel capacity is a particular problem. As a result, real estate agencies are popping up all over the coast offering options such as villa rentals.
Other Algerian beaches also are in demand. But with even less hotel infrastructure than Bejaia, local people only visit beaches in Jijel or El Kala.
Jijel, though ravaged by terrorism, has one of the nicest coastlines in the world with red beaches, small islands, rocks and forests that extend to the sea.
In a more peaceful future, Algerian beaches hold promise for mass tourism as well as local tourism. Officials are now are planning to promote the country as a destination for foreign tourists.
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bonvivqnt16 Posted 2007-03-26
Thanks for the advice.
محمد Posted 2007-06-20
I like Sidi Jelloul beach in Tamuchnte because it's small and not crowded, I nominate it as the nicest beach in Algeria.
amar Posted 2007-09-04
Hi to all of Algeria!
امين Posted 2007-10-10
The best beaches in Algeria are in Bejaia, like the beaches of Tichi, Capri Tour, Boulimate, Saket and Zikout of the people who know them. Long live Bejaia, long live Jeunesse of Belouizdad, the residents of the capital and Jelfa. Bye.
smail Posted 2007-11-17
The best beaches in Algeria are in larhat
Said NOUAD Posted 2007-12-02
I think that Azzedine Bensouiah’s article really got to the heart of the tourism problem in our country, and he knew to point out the reality of the citizen who just wants to turn the page on a period they would rather forget. Hats off to you, Azzedine!
karoub Posted 2007-12-14
Tibaza is a beautiful city.
عبد الرزاق قاسم Posted 2008-01-20
Bejaia is the most beautiful place my eyes have ever seen. It has great beaches and nice landscapes like Carbone Cap and Yamakouria mountain...etc
ramzi Posted 2008-03-07
Everything is nice in my country, Algeria.
مراد Posted 2008-03-29
The most important tourism regions in Algeria.
chafik Posted 2008-03-29
the best beach is Larhat and sidi Brahim !
dj zino Posted 2008-04-07
I love the beach of Mostaganem.
ANAIS Posted 2008-04-12
This is too cool!!!
jhdjh Posted 2008-05-01
Oh, I never visited the sea, hahaha
جزائرية حرة Posted 2008-06-20
All Algeria from the North to the South and from the East to the West is nice and great. But the only place which I visit every year is the province of Tibessa and exactly the coastal town of Douaoda. I consider its beach as one of the greatest beaches in the world.
ر-ض Posted 2008-07-19
The best beach is certainly the fascinating and nice Larhate. Cherchal is a great town with its beaches.
zaki Posted 2008-07-19
My nice country Algeria with its wide beaches.
djillali Posted 2008-08-03
The most beautiful beach is the beach of Beni Haouaa in Chlef.
امين Posted 2008-08-20
I love Douaua Bahria and wish it prosperity and progress God willing.
ياسين موريد Posted 2008-08-24
Oh, I want to cry. My heart has gone with one girl whom I was with.
djamel Posted 2008-08-28
Bahara beach.
امين شريفي Posted 2008-09-01
I am a fan of dear Algeria. I wish it stability, God willing, as well as my small nice coastal town Douaouda with its beach Fidal and Florida. I greet the sons of Fidal street.
شريفي كامي Posted 2008-09-01
I am Algerian and I am proud of my country because it is the country of a million and half martyrs. My grandfather was one of them. We must protect it and preserve its dignity and stability. Bless your Ramadan.
شريفي كامي Posted 2008-09-03
Long live Douaouda Bahria, the sons of my district including Touati Mounir, Houssam Boualam Allah, Kouki, Balligh and Mehdi. Long live Algeria from Tlemcen to Algiers and Tamanrasset. May God protect the sons of avenue Louli Bouallam Allah. Have a good breakfast.
المهندس/حسن البهكلي Posted 2008-09-04
Algeria is the nice, self-made country resisting to colonization. It hosts resources which need to be boosted and supported with an infrastructure for tourism investment. The statement of the brother Cherif Kami (the country of half a million martyrs) and the fact that Algeria had fought colonization for about 130 years. It is the tradition in the cultural writings to describe Algeria as the country of a million martyrs. This information was corrected by my brother the Algerian ambassador to Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pr Ahmed Jalal, may God assist him and grant him wellness a few years ago. He stated during the National Day of Algeria that Algeria lost a million and half a million martyrs. He said, may God forgive the media who cut off half a million martyrs. Now my brother Cherifi made it just half a million martyrs. It might be a typing mistake or I might state non-precise information. I address specialist to inform us and clear things. May God grant success to everyone. Happy new year with the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. Its beginning is a mercy, its middle is a forgiveness and its end is delivery from hell. May God assist us all to fast it, pray and perform our religious acts in the best way.
لولي زاكي Posted 2008-09-04
I am Zaki from Douaoua Bahria. I love Algeria because it is my country and my love. I offer my love to the sons of my street. Long live Douaoua Bahria, Hamam Nour and La Baba Allal.
شريفي كامي Posted 2008-09-05
I respect my brother Hassan Bahkali because he respected my opinion. I apologize to him because I was wrong in expressing my feelings about my nation, the country of pride and dignity. I apologize once again. I want you Algerians to protect the safety of the nation and its unity. God alone knows how much I love my country and how I weep when I see martyrs falling in criminal acts. May God rest their souls. There is no country better than Algeria, by God. In the end, the sons of Houma Fidal all follow your site because you respect our opinions. I honestly greet you from all my heart. The sons of Douaouda Bahria send a warm greeting to every Algerian. I am Amine Cherifi, I send you my love and to our Palestinian, Lebanese and Iraqi brothers. Bless your iftar.
سفيان سكلاوي Posted 2008-09-09
I am Soufiane from Douaoua Bahria. I thank Mohamed Amine Cherifi Kami for his comment because he talks in a great way. May God protect you. Kami loves Algeria even if he isn’t Algerian. He is French, his grandfather is a martyr, father, mother but he loves Algeria especially the sons of the district whom he loves. Sons of Loli Boualam Avenue. I want you to salute him in your own way. Thank you.
كوكي Posted 2008-09-14
I am Kaouki from Medya. I salute brother Kami for his love to Algeria even if he is a French citizen but he loves Algeria. I, Kaouki from Medya, salute him from my heart. My God protect you Kami. If only the Algerian young people love their second mother Algeria. May God guide us. May your breakfast be accepted.
امين كامي Posted 2008-10-08
Salam to the sons of Algeria. Happy Eid and Happy Eid to all the sons of Douaoua Bahria, my brother Ilyas, Houssam, Soukrat, Kouki and Amine Kat. Happy new year.
رمضان افتيني Posted 2008-10-10
Happy Eid, and happy new year. I thank Amine Kami because he is my only friend. I thank all the supporters of USMA, JSK, the street of Quartier Noir, especially Oulad Douaoua Ville, Bab El Oued and to Amine Kami in France. Long live Mouloudia d’Alger by Amine Kami and all the sons of Marseille.
اسحاق Posted 27 days ago
I thank the minister Cherif Rahmani for his great efforts in tourism.
dina Posted 20 days ago
Enjoy it sons of my country!
sarah Posted 12 days ago
I am proud to be Algerian. Honestly our country is young. May God protect it for us. Long live Algeria.
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