ALGER – The wilaya of Guelma will host, on 26 and 27 October, the National Thermal Tourism Forum, with the participation of more than 200 actors in the sector, says on Thursday a communiqué of the Ministry of Tourism and Crafts.
The organisation of this forum is part of the “implementation of the national strategy aimed at valuing the natural and thermal assets of Algeria, as an authentic component of national tourism and essential pillar for supporting local economic development”, the press release states.
The reception of the event by the wilaya of Guelma stems from its position as “the cradle of national thermal tourism and a living model of the capacities and assets of Algeria in this field, thanks to the exceptional therapeutic virtues of its waters and its exceptional natural heritage, including its renowned spas, particularly Hammam Debagh and Hammam Ould Ali”.
This forum will be attended by “more than 200 actors in the sector, between national and international experts and academics, investors and representatives of thermal establishments in the public and private sectors, as well as medical specialists in thermal medicine and representatives of local authorities and various ministerial sectors”, says the same source.
The event will also be marked by the presence of several diplomats, which demonstrates “the international interest for Algerian thermal tourism and prospects for strengthening tourism cooperation between Algeria and brotherly and friendly countries”.
The forum also aims to make known “the natural and mineral potentials as well as the historic thermal sites in Algeria, and to enhance their therapeutic and thermal assets and their heritage dimension”.
The work of this meeting will be structured around several fundamental axes, namely “the modernisation of spas in accordance with international standards, the encouragement of thermal tourism investment and innovation, and the facilitation of procedures for the benefit of economic operators for the realization of modern projects combining natural therapy, leisure and relaxation”.
The focus of the work will also be on “training of human resources and strengthening the skills of staff working in spas, as well as marketing and tourism promotion of this strategic product at national and international levels, with a view to attracting tourists and investors”.
In the same context, the work will refer to “the integration of thermal tourism into integrated tourist circuits contributing to the development of the natural and cultural heritage of the regions, in addition to the development of an operational road map aimed at remedying the deficiencies recorded and ensuring the optimal exploitation of natural and thermal resources”.
The programme of the forum includes “discussion sessions, specialized workshops and an exhibition bringing together economic operators, start-ups and investors active in this field, as well as field visits to the main spas and spas in Guelma’s wilaya,” the press release adds.
Through this forum, the Ministry of Tourism and Crafts reaffirms its commitment to “the exploitation of national thermal resources, the strengthening of investment in this field and the improvement of the quality of services, with the aim of supporting local development, diversifying the national tourism offer and promoting Algerian tourism”, according to the same communiqué.
Le Forum national du tourisme thermal à Guelma les 26 et 27 octobre
