REVITALIZATION OF MOUNTAIN RURAL TOURISM AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT IN KABYLIE (ALGERIA). THE CASE OF YAKOUREN MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

Our study focuses on the planning and revitalization of mountainous rural tourism to generate income for many rural communities. It targets a community of Great Kabylie in the heart of Djurdjura massif in the eastern part of Tizi-Ouzou province in Algeria. Tourism in these mountainous areas could contribute to rural development, given that it covers 80% of the region and records 13913 tourist overnight stays. Rural tourism can be a valuable tool for local development in the Yakouren municipality. This paper is based on a literature review, field surveys, descriptive and analytical approach to revitalizing mountainous rural tourism in Yakouren, and revealing its potential through various methods, including Butler's theory, SWOT analysis, and elaboration of an indicator grid, and calculation of tourist traffic. From the results, we identified eight segments that attract tourists and five segments that villagers request. Finally, in a conceptual approach, we discuss the impact of this market on rural areas structure and propose some ideas to overcome it. As a result, through constant promotion, Yakouren can benefit from an increase in tourist traffic. Rural tourism in this mountainous community can be an essential source of income, but it requires investment.

Keywords

• yakouren
• great kabylie
• mountainous rural tourism
• mountainous zones
• local development
• revitalization
• tourist traffic
• investment