Role of Major Events in Creating Sustainable Tourism : Host Algerian Cities Put to the Test — The Case of Oran and Constantine

In a context marked by the transformations and crises experienced by the national economy, and by the negative effects resulting from its dependence on a single source of revenue, Algeria -like many other countries- seeks to establish mechanisms capable of ensuring new sources of income in order to revive its economy or create a new economic dynamic that may become a strategic financial resource.Within this framework, countries compete to host and organize major events (scientific, cultural, or sporting) with the aim of promoting their image and stimulating economic activity.

It is in this context that the present project focuses on the event tourism sector, highlighting the benefits and returns generated by the organization of such events, including visitor attraction, the promotion of future tourism, urban development, the creation of national and international tourist attractiveness, and the strengthening of social ties and community engagement within host cities.The study seeks to examine how these events can be activated so that they do not remain temporary occurrences ending with the closure of their activities, but rather evolve into a form of sustainable tourism and sustainable development.

This research is based on a case study of the city of Oran, which aspires to become a metropolitan city, given the major events it has hosted, such as the International Festival of Arab Cinema since 1976, the GNL16 event in 2010, and the Mediterranean Games held in 2021. These events serve as reference points for comparison and for tracing their impacts and repercussions.In parallel, the city of Constantine, an inland city, is examined as it was designated Capital of Arab Culture in 2015.

The study is structured around several key research questions:Have the objectives behind the organization and management of these globally recognized events—known for their ability to attract large numbers of visitors within a short period and in a specific location—been achieved?To what extent have these events contributed to the promotion of sustainable tourism in Algeria, particularly in the cities of Oran and Constantine, in comparison with other Algerian or international cities, even if only to a limited degree?Have they contributed to job creation, whether permanent or temporary, and to the promotion of investment across various sectors?

Accordingly, the main objective of this project is to provide a comprehensive assessment of event tourism in the cities of Oran and Constantine, with the aim of attracting tourists, promoting national heritage, and positioning these cities as promising tourism hubs originating from a specific event.This assessment is conducted through an analysis of infrastructure (hotels and restaurants) from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives, as well as an evaluation of transport services, security conditions, and citizen–foreigner relations. Indeed, a city’s attractiveness is shaped by a combination of tangible and intangible factors, including hospitality practices, social interactions, and the quality of relations with others.

Main objectives of the project: Establish a database on infrastructure (financial aspects, architectural heritage, civil society, urban planning) to assess the capacity of the cities of Oran and Constantine to host various tourism-generating events (scientific conferences, economic forums, cultural and sporting activities, etc.).Produce a report on the perceptions of the local community, administrative stakeholders, and local authorities, as well as their level of acceptance and awareness of the importance of this type of event, through field studies and opinion surveys, to be submitted to relevant institutions for awareness-raising and improved utilization.Develop digital applications linked to tourism events and their surrounding geographical areas. Long-term objectives: Create a decision-support framework for local and national authorities to address previous organizational shortcomings and optimize the benefits of future events as a management tool across multiple sectors.Encourage investment by highlighting economic, social, and cultural incentives.