I think it comes down to a few things, but principally to what extent there has been a change in policy in Algiers or whether things are changing ad hoc.

A few thoughts:

1. For a substantial increase in the number of tourists, I think people will need more clarity and certainty before committing to a trip like this. That's dependent on a number of things falling into place (see pt.3) but principally a growing number of people being able to do this route and proving that its possible. Think of it like a tip of a spear - with the likes of the Swiss couple being at that tip.

2. Flowing from that, I think it comes down to a number of people who are just willing to give it a go and risk getting turned back, and being happy with that. Not all overlanders would wish to take that approach - overland travel has a range of people with a range of different appetites for risk, availability for travel, financial resources etc.

3. Really encouraging that the border has opened again, and great that there has been a formal announcement (unlike any change to visa requirements, excepting VOA). But be slightly cautious about viewing this purely through the prism of overland travel - i.e. it might be a loosening of rules that aimed at Algerian and Mauritanian citizens and trade here. A small number of tourists may be tolerated but only up to a point - a larger number of tourists may lead to a re-tightening of policy, especially if the Gendarmerie aren't comfortable with the number of tourists they have to keep track of. This applies to wider visa policy too by the way.

4. Question marks also still exist around guide/escort etc. When I was in the country last autumn, I left the main route to Tindouf somewhere after Bechar and didn't require an escort to that point but I'm not sure about thereafter. The Tindouf border crossing is obviously in a more sensitive area due to the WS issue and Mali isn't a million miles away either. On security and travel in the rest of the country (including the far south), I would describe the attitude of the Gendarmerie and the army on the ground as accepting of independent travel but not wholly comfortable and there being a consistent undercurrent of nervousness.

So there's a need to think about to what extent the le pouvoir are thinking about tourism policy in a serious way.

It could be, like the Saudis for example (another petrol-chemical state, and one which is thinking about its post-oil future), that this marks a concerted effort to attract tourism back to the country. However, and based on the 2 months I spent there last autumn and the country's history and power structures, I'm not sure if the country's leadership is dynamic enough to be thinking that way.

And its worth remembering that, from I understand (Chris S, do comment here!), even during the Saharan travel glory days of the '70s and '80s in the country, this was the result of a laissez-faire attitude rather than anything else.

So, certainly not wanting to put a downer on what's an exciting development, but also think there's a need for pragmatism here.

A few Sunday morning musings....

Ed

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Where Next Barney? / Trans Morocco Trail