Algeria speaks of “misunderstanding” and cancels the order to suspend tourism with Spain

The authorities of the Bouira region, in northern Algeria, have recognized a “misunderstanding” regarding the instruction given to travel agencies to suspend relations with Spain and have specified that they have reversed the order.

The circular, which had initially been interpreted as an instruction to all Algerian travel agencies, urged them to suspend “immediately any working relationship” with Spain in line with “the application of the decision of the highest authorities of the country to suspend the Treaty of Friendship signed with Spain».

Sources from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism consulted by Europa Press had assured that they had not received any official notification regarding the measure, something that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has also subsequently confirmed from Luxembourg.

In fact, Albares had pointed out that it seemed that it was actually “a communication from a provincial authority”, as it has finally been.

Thus, in statements to the specialized media Visa et Voyages Algérie, a person in charge of the Bouira Tourism Directorate has asked “not to take that note into account.” “It was a misunderstanding”, he has defended, although he has confirmed that the notification had been “published, but has been withdrawn”.

“An error has occurred,” insisted the Tourism directorate, without clarifying what it was and if there has been a call to order from the Algerian Government. “We do not ask the travel agencies for anything, the note has been cancelled,” she concluded.

On the other hand, the Algerian National Union of Tourism and Travel Agencies (UNATV) has also published a statement denying that instructions had been given to interrupt tourism with Spain.

The sources consulted by Europa Press had indicated that Algerian tourists only represent 0.1% of the total received by Spain. Thus, according to the data to which Europa Press has had access, Spain barely received some 27,500 Algerian tourists in 2021. In 2019, the last normal year so far in terms of tourism as it was prior to the pandemic, the figure reached the 331,190.

Crisis with Algeria

Algeria announced on June 8 the suspension of the Treaty of Friendship with Spain in another step in its reaction to the Government’s decision to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara.

Initially, Algeria proceeded on March 19 to call its ambassador in Madrid for consultations and subsequently threatened to raise the prices of natural gas that it exports to Spain, although the Algerian authorities have always said that they will comply with the supply.

The same day that the suspension of the 2002 Treaty of Friendship became known, a circular from the Professional Association of Banks and Financial Entities (Abef) was also published, announcing the freezing of direct debits for foreign trade operations with Spain.

The Government then went to Brussels, since foreign trade is European competence, with the premise that Algeria could have breached the Association Agreement with the EU, and the European Commission warned that it could act if necessary.

In turn, the Algerian Executive criticized Spain for wanting to resolve in Brussels an issue that it considers bilateral and hinted that the order to suspend commercial operations had not been issued.

Moreover, days later the Algerian president, Abdelmayid Tebune, proceeded to dismiss the Minister of Finance, Abdelarramán Raouya, who was ultimately responsible for the bank freezing order, although he did not clarify if this was the reason.

Thus, Albares has insisted this Monday on a conciliatory message towards Algeria, indicating that Spain “has an outstretched hand” and has not adopted measures in retaliation. “Everything takes time,” said the minister, when asked if there is progress in resolving the crisis with the Maghreb country, specifying that the impact of the measures previously announced by Algiers is still being verified.