INITIAL INSIGHTS INTO ALGERIAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT WITH A BRIEF EXAMPLE FROM JIJEL

Tourism has emerged as one of the world’s most vital industries, with its exponential growth generating substantial revenue. Nearly every nation now relies on this sector to diversify income streams and elevate the socio-cultural well-being of their populations. In this context, Algeria, endowed with vast and diverse potential, is now tasked with revitalizing its tourism sector to position itself as an alternative and forward-looking destination in the Mediterranean basin. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the development of tourism in Algeria through a case study of Jijel (a coastal area). For this purpose, descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests were applied to tourism infrastructure and flow data collected from national and local authorities regarding Algeria and the province (Wilaya) of Jijel. Our results showed that even if Algeria attracts a high volume of tourists (particularly in the summer), this does not consistently translate into longer stays or significant economic impact. Between 2010 and 2019, tourism indicators such as visitor numbers and overnight stays increased, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in 2020–2021. However, a partial recovery was observed in 2022. Statistical modeling confirmed that hotel bed capacity significantly influences the number of tourists, but its effect on overnight stays, summer visits, and GDP was not significant. The study highlights that expanding accommodation alone is insufficient; comprehensive planning that considers tourist behavior, infrastructure quality, and alternative tourism types (such as Saharan and thermal tourism) remains also essential to unlock Algeria full potential as a sustainable tourism destination in general, and to secure Jijel’s position as a premier high-quality tourist destination.