THERMAL TOURISM AS A DRIVER OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT, AN ILLUSTRATION OF OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS. CASE STUDY OF HAMMAM-GUERGOUR IN THE PROVINCE OF SÉTIF, ALGERIA

Abstract

Algeria is the largest country in the Mediterranean Basin, but it have classified at the bottom of the ranking in terms of tourism’s share of GDP. It is a pristine tourist destination that has unfortunately not been sufficiently exploited, This paper attempts to analyse and understand the dilemma between an incompatible natural potential and the persistence of the proven delay of touristic development by the case study of a mountain municipality of Hammam Guergour. Which is well known for its mineral springs, and which in turn has contributed to the activity of thermal tourism. We used the (SWOT) method which allows internal and external analyses of Thermal tourism. SWOT analysis is used to exploit the opportunities for development in the region, and then how development actors can outperform. The aim is to determine how force factors are used to take advantage of opportunities for development in the region, and then how development actors can overcome weaknesses and then push back threats. We noted striking disparities between the more or less structured spaces in the high plains of the Sétif region, such as the Sétif – El Eulma axis; and a deconstructed mountain space, because the implementation of activities and equipment’s does not respond to the existing constraints of Hammam Guergour.

Keywords

• thermal tourism
• swot analysis
• hammam-guergour
• local development