Algeria Reverses Ban on Travel Agency Ties with Spain, Citing ’Misunderstanding’

In a circular, the regional authorities invited travel agencies to "immediately cease all business relations" with Spain to comply with the government’s decision to suspend the friendship treaty with that country. "It’s a misunderstanding," said an official from the Bouira Tourism Directorate to the specialized media Visa et Voyages Algérie, asking "not to take this note into account" which has already been "withdrawn".

To read: Algeria Suspends Travel Agency Ties with Spain Amid Western Sahara Dispute

The Algerian National Union of Tourism and Travel Agencies (UNATV) also issued a statement, denying that such instructions had been given. Sources from the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism told Europa Press that they had not received any official notification of this measure.

Algerian tourists represent only 0.1% of visitors to Spain. In 2021, some 27,500 Algerian tourists visited Spain, compared to 331,190 in 2019, the last normal year before the Covid-19 pandemic.

To read: Algeria Suspends Friendship Treaty with Spain Over Western Sahara Dispute

Algeria announced on June 8 the suspension of the friendship treaty with Spain, in reaction to the Spanish government’s decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for the Sahara. On March 19, Algeria had already recalled its ambassador to Madrid for consultations and then threatened to increase the sale prices of gas to Spain.