'You should not go, it is dangerous': (re-)constructions of Algeria from the perspectives of the British media and British tourists

Destination images have a significant impact on individuals’ travel decisions. Algeria sees few foreign tourists and a large proportion of these are expatriate Algerians or traders from neighbouring countries. This research examines the formation process of Algeria’s image(s), through examining the discourses of Algeria produced by the British news media between 2011 and 2019 – a negative neo-Orientalist image --, and how our participant British tourists who visited Algeria from 2011 to February 2020 challenged the news discourses of Algeria through their lived experiences, developing a counter-discourse, the discourse of Algeria-Society, that produce positive images of Algeria. Methodologically, this research is in a social constructionist tradition, adopting a qualitative approach, Foucauldian in inspiration. Said’s (1978) Orientalism and the paradigm of neo-Orientalism helped situate the analysis. The research findings can serve as a useful reference for policymakers and other relevant stakeholders, as to potential ways to challenge the dominant Western discourse. Future research recommendations are suggested.