Astronomical Budget Spent on “Failed Tourist Projects” Under Investigation

An investigation is underway to uncover the fate of 600 million DZD (60 million Euros) worth budget spent, in the last decade, for the renovation of “bankrupt” hotels located in tourist attraction spots in the desert of Algeria.

Well informed source revealed that another 300 million DZD budget was spent to renovate Mezab Hotel in Ghardaia province, and 70 million were spent for renovating El-Boustan Hotel in the locality of Menea, in Ghardaia province, but both of them are still in archaic situation. However, the restructuration of El Mehri Hotel in Ouargla province has not started yet, although authorities allocated some 260 million DZD budget. But, local investors are calling the government to stop spending “astronomical” budgets on “already lost projects”, but rather concentrate on building new modern hotels to boost tourism industry in the desert. Meanwhile, tourism authorities have set new incentive measures for the benefit of tourism investors in the south of the country; including tax exemptions, low interest bank loans, and 50 to 80 percent price reduce of real estate in tourist attraction spots located in the desert.