Oran has been named Africa's leading emerging tourist city.

The city of Oran in Algeria has just been awarded the gold prize for “Africa’s Leading Emerging Tourism City 2025” by the Africa-Asia Tourism and Hospitality Alliance (AFASU).

The awards ceremony took place at the Oran Bay Hotel with the participation of representatives from the local government, the Algerian Ministry of Tourism and Crafts, AFASU officials, and many experts and businesses operating in the tourism and hospitality sector.

The city of Oran has Madagh Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa. (Source: Maina Marjany/Flickr.com)

According to AFASU, the selection of Oran was based on criteria related to sustainable tourism development, infrastructure improvement, preservation and exploitation of cultural and historical heritage, as well as the capacity to organize regional-level events.

In recent years, Oran has stepped up investment in tourism infrastructure, upgrading accommodation facilities, public spaces, and accompanying services.

The city has hosted numerous regional events, including the 2022 Mediterranean Games , contributing to enhancing the destination's image, improving its organizational capacity, and boosting its ability to attract international visitors.

Local officials consider this award a positive sign for Algeria's tourism industry, contributing to attracting more investment, expanding markets, and diversifying tourism products.

The AFASU Awards are presented annually to honor exemplary experiences and models in the tourism sector in Africa and Asia.

Oran is Algeria's second-largest city, located on the western Mediterranean coast, about 430 km from the capital Algiers.

Strategically located with a major seaport, Ahmed Ben Bella International Airport, and a well-connected road and rail network linking it to surrounding areas, Oran is considered the economic and commercial center of Western Algeria, with strengths in services, logistics, light industry, and coastal tourism.

Steeped in a multicultural history, Oran preserves many distinctive architectural structures from the Ottoman Empire and French colonial periods, most notably the Santa Cruz Fortress, the Santa Cruz Church, its squares, and the old town. The city is also the birthplace of the famous Raï music.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/oran-duoc-vinh-danh-la-thanh-pho-du-lich-moi-noi-hang-dau-chau-phi-340589.html