Indonesia-Algeria Seek Stronger Ties in Muslim-Friendly Tourism

RRI.CO,ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Algeria have agreed to strengthen cooperation in tourism development as part of efforts to expand access to the North African market and boost Muslim-friendly tourism. 

The agreement was discussed during a recent meeting in Jakarta between the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and a delegation of Algerian National People’s Assembly (APN), focusing on policy support, knowledge transfer, and sustainable tourism promotion.

Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa said the cooperation presents a strategic opportunity to develop tourism ties while reinforcing long-standing friendship between the two countries. 

She highlighted Indonesia’s experience in tourism education, supported by six tourism polytechnics under the Ministry of Tourism, as a key asset for knowledge exchange.

“This is a strategic opportunity to strengthen the North African market and Muslim tourism, while also encouraging knowledge transfer through our tourism education institutions,” she said in an official statement confirmed in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

She added that the inaugural meeting opened avenues for collaboration with direct economic impact, particularly for tourism operators; micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); local tour guides; and investors.

Post-pandemic data show that Algerian tourist arrivals to Indonesia have increased by around 25 percent, in line with growing trade volume between the two countries.

During the meeting, Algerian representatives expressed interest in learning from Indonesia’s experience in managing religious tourism and nature-based tourism, two sectors that are also priorities in Algeria’s tourism development agenda.

Shared visions in tourism were seen as a foundation for strategic collaboration, offering complementary travel experiences between a maritime nation like Indonesia and a continental desert country like Algeria.

“Indonesia and Algeria also share alignment in developing cultural tourism,” she added.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Human Resources and Institutions at the Ministry of Tourism, Martini Mohammad Paham, noted that although the cooperation remains at an early stage, the dialogue serves as an important foundation for long-term and sustainable tourism promotion.

“Future cooperation will focus on policy support from legislative bodies in both countries and on creating a conducive investment climate for businesses to build a globally competitive tourism ecosystem,” he said. ***