THE PRESERVATION OF WORLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND PROMOTION OF TOURISM: QALA'AT BANI HAMMAD (M'SILA) ALGERIA

Abstract

Archaeological sites are currently considered as one of the most important tourism industry drivers, becoming an autonomous economy. Among the most outstanding archaeological sites in Algeria is the fort of Bani Hammad. This site is the first archaeological site classified by UNESCO in 1980, located in central Algeria in M'sila province. Given its importance, we conducted a scientific study to highlight its beautiful archaeological tourism components and national and international tourist attractions. Then, we revealed the tourism challenges and the physical and moral deterioration affecting this site. Also, we propose a preservation plan to promote this site’s touristic assets, enabling its transformation into a tourist destination competing with other archaeological sites in Algeria and the Maghreb; through a sustainable development plan of archaeological tourism, while preserving its historical identity and role. To this aim, we used a descriptive and quantitative analytical approach, starting with a theoretical and analytical analysis of various studies, plans, and documents related to this archaeological site's components. Then, we analyzed the geographical and statistical data of the tourist traffic over five years using the SPSS statistical program. Finally, we presented the results, developed a rehabilitation plan for the site, and suggested an essential set of recommendations.

Keywords

• archaeological sites
• qal' at bani hammad
• m' sila
• tourism industry
• sustainable tourism development
• preservation
• unesco