Aspiring Hoggar and Tidikelt geoparks in Algeria

Algeria does not count any classified geoparks despite its wealthy geological heritage, particularly in Tamanrasset province (southern Algeria). The economic activities in this province require promotion and diversification apart from the oil and gas industry. While tourism can be a crucial driver of its local development, tourist arrivals and infrastructures, especially in villages, indicate how underdeveloped this sector is. The present paper aims to evaluate, for the first time, both natural and cultural potential, targeting a possible geopark classification proposal in this province to boost its tourism and local development. The present study’s results highlighted a concentration of geological and non-geological features (archaeology, architecture, intangible cultural heritage, biodiversity) in two (2) regions of Tamanrasset (Hoggar and Tidikelt). Both areas host the largest number of villages, favoring local inhabitants’ involvement in local development and tourism activities.