Algeria's ministry of tourism and handicrafts is expecting the construction of 34 new hotels, estimated to be valued at around USD 800 million, to be completed by the end of 2013, an official source told Zawya.
According to Mohammad El Saleh bin Akmoum, manager of tourism and handicraft in Algiers Province, the hotels currently under construction represent several categories from three-star to five-star ratings.
"Most of the construction works have been undertaken by state company Al Tasyeer, in partnership with an Algerian contractor specializing in hotel construction," said Akmoum.
The delivery of new hotels is seen contributing to the development of the country's tourism sector, which is now suffering from a scarce supply of tourist accommodations. In the capital Algiers, hotel bed capacity is currently around 18,000 as provided by 140 hotels. Despite this, the city still has a deficit of 30,000 beds.
The Algerian government has allocated a total of USD 1 billion for the renovation of existing hotels and the construction of new ones before the end of 2014.
Fares Mesdour, professor of economics at the University of Algiers, said the government's hotel expansion efforts bode well for the ministry of tourism and handicrafts' goal of attracting four million tourists by the end of 2013, which is significantly higher than the 3.2 million tourists received in 2012.
"As such, the construction of 34 new hotels in the capital Algiers is expected to enhance the tourism appeal of the city and will provide the much needed accommodation for visitors throughout the year," he said.
© Zawya 2013
