The National Thermal Tourism Forum in Algeria concluded on October 27, 2026, in Guelma, with several recommendations aimed at developing the country's thermal tourism sector. The closing ceremony was presided over by Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Houria Meddahi, and Wali of Guelma, Samir Chibani. The forum brought together over 200 stakeholders, including experts, investors, and representatives from national thermal establishments, as well as foreign experts from Italy, China, and Azerbaijan.
One of the key recommendations was the creation of a quality label specific to Algerian thermal tourism, aimed at enhancing the attractiveness and competitiveness of this destination on an international scale. The label is expected to valorize national thermal resources and guarantee the quality of services offered. This move is seen as essential to promoting Algerian thermal tourism and attracting more tourists.
The participants also proposed the classification of thermal stations and the creation of diversified tourist circuits specific to thermalism. They emphasized the need to establish unified mechanisms and standards for classifying thermal stations. This would help to organize the sector, ensure the quality of services, and provide tourists with a range of options.
The forum also highlighted the importance of developing and diversifying thermal tourism offers, including comprehensive packages tailored to the needs of Algerian families and foreign tourists. These packages would combine accommodation, relaxation, thermal water treatments, and leisure activities. This approach is expected to strengthen the attractiveness of the national thermal destination and attract more tourists.
The participants also called for the rationalization of thermal resource exploitation and management, using scientific norms and precise mechanisms. They recommended diagnosing the state of available thermal resources, classifying them according to their therapeutic characteristics, and promoting partnerships between thermal establishment owners and tourism agencies.
The forum also recommended the development of a national reference framework for the classification of professions and specialties related to thermal tourism. This would involve creating new specialties and enriching existing ones related to thermal water treatments. The goal is to improve service quality, monitor the evolution of thermal tourism, and provide training programs to enhance the skills of workers.
Finally, the participants emphasized the importance of digitalizing the tourism sector, including unifying information systems and adopting electronic medical records. They also called for reinforced partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as measures to attract more investors, such as long-term loans and bank financing.
Key points
- Creation of a quality label for Algerian thermal tourism
- Classification of thermal stations and diversified tourist circuits
- Digitalization of the tourism sector and reinforced partnerships between public and private sectors
