International Year of Tourism 1967
In October 1965, the 19th General Assembly of the International Union of Official Tourism Organizations (UIOOT), of which Algeria has been a member since 1963, decided, unanimously of its members, to propose the year 1967 as the International Year of Tourism and recommended the use of the slogan “Tourism, passport for peace”.
Having examined with interest the proposals contained in the IUOTO report with regard to the promotion of international tourism, particularly for developing countries, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed, on November 4, 1966, the year 1967 as the International Year of Tourism.
An international year dedicated to tourism reflects the interest that the United Nations and certain specialized institutions have in tourism as an element of economic development and a determining factor in the social, cultural and political phenomena of nations.
Algeria, aware of the importance of the role that tourism plays in national economies and international trade and of the contribution it can make to the cause of friendship and understanding between peoples, devoted itself, immediately after independence, to rediscovering and developing its ancient traditions of welcome and hospitality.
In addition to a varied climate, allowing tourism throughout the year, nature has endowed Algeria with an exceptional variety of sites and grandiose landscapes, grouped in an admirable triptych:
- the Mediterranean coast with a length of 1,200 km with its varied beaches, its fine sand, seaside resorts of great beauty (Moretti, 20 km from Algiers; Canastel, in Oranie);
- the mountain ranges of Aurès and Kabylie covered with ancient forests, with impressive gorges;
- the Sahara and the Oases, the largest desert in the world, with the majestic beauty of its landscapes, its diversity and the unforgettable charm of its oases, a Hoggar full of mysteries, kingdom of the blue men (Touareg).
Regardless of its natural beauties, Algeria still has archaeological sites of first-rate interest. This land of Islam has experienced, through the ages, the most diverse eras (Roman, Vandal, Byzantine, Spanish, Turkish, etc.) and has preserved indelible traces of each of them which are juxtaposed or intertwined, to the great joy of tourists and scholars.
Having examined with interest the proposals contained in the IUOTO report with regard to the promotion of international tourism, particularly for developing countries, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed, on November 4, 1966, the year 1967 as the International Year of Tourism.
An international year dedicated to tourism reflects the interest that the United Nations and certain specialized institutions have in tourism as an element of economic development and a determining factor in the social, cultural and political phenomena of nations.
Algeria, aware of the importance of the role that tourism plays in national economies and international trade and of the contribution it can make to the cause of friendship and understanding between peoples, devoted itself, immediately after independence, to rediscovering and developing its ancient traditions of welcome and hospitality.
In addition to a varied climate, allowing tourism throughout the year, nature has endowed Algeria with an exceptional variety of sites and grandiose landscapes, grouped in an admirable triptych:
- the Mediterranean coast with a length of 1,200 km with its varied beaches, its fine sand, seaside resorts of great beauty (Moretti, 20 km from Algiers; Canastel, in Oranie);
- the mountain ranges of Aurès and Kabylie covered with ancient forests, with impressive gorges;
- the Sahara and the Oases, the largest desert in the world, with the majestic beauty of its landscapes, its diversity and the unforgettable charm of its oases, a Hoggar full of mysteries, kingdom of the blue men (Touareg).
Regardless of its natural beauties, Algeria still has archaeological sites of first-rate interest. This land of Islam has experienced, through the ages, the most diverse eras (Roman, Vandal, Byzantine, Spanish, Turkish, etc.) and has preserved indelible traces of each of them which are juxtaposed or intertwined, to the great joy of tourists and scholars.