Boosting tourism cooperation between Algeria and Italy took center stage in talks between Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Houria Meddahi and Andrea Mascaretti, head of the Algeria-Italy parliamentary friendship group, who visited with a delegation. Both sides stressed the need to elevate bilateral tourism collaboration to match the strong bonds between the nations, according to a ministry statement released on Tuesday.
In her remarks, Meddahi underscored Algeria’s drive to deepen ties with its Italian partner and ramp up efforts to advance the tourism sector, framing this within “the marked warming of relations between these friendly countries and the depth of their longstanding connections.”
She outlined pathways to strengthen joint initiatives, highlighting the value of Italian know-how in tourist marketing innovations, sector training, and upskilling Algerian artisans in digital promotion and sales techniques.
Meddahi detailed the government’s tourism growth plan, aligned with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s vision to position tourism as “a key driver of development and national economic diversification.” This approach seeks to safeguard Algeria’s cultural heritage—a testament to human civilization—and its rich historical legacy, positioning the country as “a prime, distinctive, and genuine tourist draw, especially via its UNESCO-listed material heritage.”
The minister pointed out that mechanisms to attract Italian tourism investments, particularly in hotels and resort villages, can leverage opportunities and incentives under Algeria’s investment law.
For his part, Mascaretti voiced his group’s intent to align with Italian authorities to launch a tourism cooperation framework in Algeria, involving tour operators, travel agencies, and investment players.
The meeting included Algeria-Italy parliamentary friendship group president Kamel Laouissat, oversight agency representatives, the Italian embassy’s charge d’affaires, and ministry staff. Closing the session, both parties emphasized boosting Algeria’s profile at Italian tourism events and, reciprocally, Italy’s involvement in major Algerian tourism gatherings.