TIMIMOUN, 6 December 2025 (APS) - Foreign ambassadors accredited to Algeria, attending the 7th International Desert Tourism Festival in Timimoun, were spellbound by the breathtaking beauty of the Red Oasis during an immersive tour on Friday that highlighted the region’s stunning landscapes, historic sites and ancient palaces.
The diplomatic delegation explored Timimoun Oasis and visited the Algerian Centre for Mud-Built Cultural Heritage, where they discovered the ingenious traditional techniques behind the construction of the region’s iconic mud-brick buildings and palaces.
They then ventured into the golden dunes, enjoying camel and horse rides, cycling across the sands and exploring the desert in four-wheel-drive vehicles, while experiencing the warm hospitality and authentic services provided in traditional Saharan tents.
The tour also included visits to the region’s historic palaces and landmarks, notably the renowned Ighzer Cave, where the diplomats admired a spectacular sunset from the plateau of the ancient Ighzer Palace.
They further explored the famous foggara irrigation system in Adgha and the Ouled Saïd Municipal Museum, home to a rich collection of ancestral tools.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador, Vusumuzi Ntonga, hailed the Red Oasis and its unique foggara system as symbols of profound authenticity.
Having previously visited El Oued, Ghardaïa and Tamanrasset, he described Timimoun’s beauty as "exceptional" and thanked the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts for organizing a festival that showcases the immense potential of desert tourism.
Slovenia’s Ambassador, Urska Kramberger Mendek, on her second visit, said she discovered new sites and was particularly enchanted by the vibrant local folklore and musical traditions, declaring her intention to return soon.
For his part, Palestine’s Ambassador, Fayez Abu Aïta, portrayed tourism in Timimoun as "a journey into the resilient lifestyle of its people and their harmonious bond with the harsh desert environment," urging visitors to explore these "authentic cultural treasures."
Vietnam’s Ambassador, Tran Quoc Khanh, honoured by his first visit to this "enchanting city," invited Vietnamese tourists to discover the breathtaking wonders of the Algerian Sahara.
The European Union’s Ambassador, Diego Mellado, called the festival "unforgettable," praising its outstanding attractions and cultural richness, adding that it "will shape the future of tourism in Algeria given its extraordinary potential."
Malta’s Consul General, Cassar Marsim, was captivated by the oasis’s stunning landscapes, the warmth of its people and the unique Saharan setting, describing its dunes and attractions as truly exceptional.
Festival Curator Ouari Abdelhamid said that the 7th International Desert Tourism Festival had fully achieved its objectives, emphasizing that the participating diplomats would become ambassadors for Timimoun’s tourist treasures in their home countries.
