Tunisia has emerged as the top destination for Algerian tourists, attracting over 738,000 visitors since the start of 2025—a 13% increase compared with last year.
The surge highlights Tunisia’s appeal while exposing Algeria’s ongoing struggle to develop a competitive domestic tourism sector.
According to the Tunisian news site Espace Manager, the flow of Algerian tourists reached record levels in mid-August, with nearly 10,000 crossings recorded in a single day at key border points.
Proximity plays a role, but affordability, family-friendly offerings, and improved service quality are also driving factors.
The recent increase in Algeria’s tourist allowance to €750 has further boosted travel to neighboring Tunisia.
Algerians now constitute the largest group of foreign visitors to Tunisia, surpassing Europeans. Analysts predict the symbolic milestone of one million visitors could soon be reached, underscoring the significance of this market for the Tunisian economy.
However, behind the growth lies a sobering reality for Algeria. Despite abundant natural and cultural resources, the country struggles to retain its citizens as tourists.
Weak infrastructure, inconsistent policy, and bureaucratic obstacles continue to undermine local tourism development, deterring private sector investment. Sporadic promotional campaigns have been unable to offset these systemic challenges.
The development of border crossings such as Taleb-Larbi, intended to facilitate travel to Tunisia, illustrates a reactive rather than strategic approach to tourism.
While Tunisia leverages regional complementarity and cultivates a welcoming image, Algeria has yet to transform its potential into a sustainable economic asset.
“This is not just about Maghreb conviviality,” said a tourism analyst in Tunis.
“It is a reflection of Algeria’s structural weaknesses. A country with immense potential allows its neighbor to capture a domestic market that should be its own.”
The situation underscores the urgent need for Algeria to invest in infrastructure, streamline regulations, and formulate a coherent tourism strategy.
Without such measures, the continued exodus of Algerian travelers to Tunisia is likely to persist, benefiting the Tunisian economy while leaving Algeria’s tourism potential untapped.
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