Bassam Ouertani: “Special security measures for Algerians”

Representative of the Office of Tunisian Tourism in Algeria, Bassam Ouertani, explains in this interview with Echorouk, the most important proposals that are established by the Tunisian authorities for the benefit of Algerians who are wished to save the tourist season after the Sousse attacks on last Friday, including securing the crossing of the Algerians from the border, until they arrive to the hotels, in addition to a proposal that is transferred to Algeria through which Algerians are allowed to pay with the dinar in the Tunisian tourist places.

What are the most important government decisions that are taken for the benefit of Algerians who are wishing to visit Tunisia?

The most important government decisions that are taken for the benefit of our Algerian brothers are related to improving the reception conditions in the land and air border crossings, and to securing their way across the roads until their arrival to the hotels or areas where they will be staying in different Tunisian cities, knowing that the departure tax from Tunisian territory which is estimated to 30 dinars has been canceled earlier for the benefit of Algerians, and the procedure was generalized to all foreign nationals.

The government also decided, for the benefit of the owners of Hotels, to postpone the payment of social security coverage and pensions’ expenses until 2017, in addition to the delay to the owners of pensions to replace the debts of financial institutions and banks until 2017.

What about the possibility of payment in Algerian dinars in Tunisia?

This decision was announced by the Director of the Office of the Tourism Minister, who said that the Algerian dinar and the Russian ruble can be used to facilitate attracting tourists from the two countries, in consultation with the Central Bank, Russian and Algerian authorities.

Are there special offers for the Algerians?

As you know, the tourism sector in Tunisia belongs to the private companies, on this basis, the offers that addressed to Algerians are not often presented by the owners of Hotels for the Tunisian Tourism Office, but special offers will be adopted for Algerians during this summer.