Experts and travel agency representatives welcome the increase in the tourist allowance

In this context, economist Houari Tigharsi told APS that the introduction of a new exchange rate for foreign travel (750 euros), in application of a decision by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, will have "several positive socio-economic effects".

The entry into force of this new exchange rate, announced by the Bank of Algeria last Thursday, reflects the commitment of the country's highest authorities to meet the aspirations of citizens, who have been waiting for years for an increase in this allowance, he said, stressing that this decision by the President of the Republic had "important economic and social dimensions".

According to him, the new allowance will make it easier for Algerians to travel abroad. It will also "make it easier for professors, researchers and students to travel abroad, while enabling Algerians to consider new tourist destinations, previously inaccessible", continued the expert.

For his part, the director of the Ecole supérieure de commerce, economist Ishak Kherchi, pointed out that this decision "will improve the purchasing power of travelers" and encourage citizens to do more business with banks, which "will help sustain the stability of the national currency in the medium term and improve Algeria's financial image internationally", as it is, he explained, a decision that "illustrates financial openness, control of foreign exchange management and increased foreign exchange reserves".

Moreover, this measure is designed to support the activity of tourism and travel agencies, which will have a positive impact on the economic dynamic, the service sector and booking offices across the country, added the expert.

For his part, Fadi Tamim, national coordinator of the Association de protection et d'orientation du consommateur et son environnement (APOCE), felt that the increase in this allowance to 750 euros, in fulfilment of one of the commitments made by the President of the Republic, would help preserve the dignity of Algerian citizens abroad.

 

Positive outlook for tourism agencies

 

Welcoming the increase in this allowance, under Bank of Algeria's instructions 05-2025, dated July 17, 2025, on foreign travel exchange rights, Mr. Tamim stressed that the conditions laid down in this instruction guaranteed that this allowance would be maintained for tourism.

Nadir Belhadj, President of the Syndicat national des agences de tourisme et de voyages, described the conditions for access to this allowance as "logical", in particular the minimum stay abroad of seven (7) days, arguing that this was imperative to "bar the way to those who would engage in currency trafficking on the parallel market".

According to him, tourism agencies should thus achieve better results, their apprehensions regarding this summer season having now been dispelled. As a reminder, last Thursday, the Bank of Algeria announced the introduction, effective Sunday, July 20, 2025, of a new foreign exchange fee for travel abroad, set at 750 euros for persons aged 19 and over, and 300 euros for persons aged between 12 and 19.

The amount in dinars must be paid no later than three (3) working days before the date of travel, at bank branches or branches of the Banque d'Algérie, bearing in mind that any beneficiary of exchange rights who cancels his or her trip or stays for less than seven (7) days must return the full amount collected within five (5) working days of his or her return to the country.