Morocco Travel Information

It expects 9.3 million

New springs will be deployed

How to invest in "brand Morocco"


What challenges for domestic tourism in a context of financial crisis? In international markets, the situation was most critical in the first 9 months of the year. Indeed, the World Tourism Organization (WTO) provides a slowdown in the growth of world tourism, in the order of 4.1% against 7% for the past three years. "So it would be naive to believe that national tourism escape the vagaries of the international situation," warned Mohamed Boussaid, minister. It was during a debate organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Casablanca (CFCIM) last Thursday.
According to the minister, the first effects will be felt next year: "2009 looks very difficult," he said. And of course, the objectives of Vision 2010 will not escape the "collateral damage" of this crisis. The ambition of the 10 million tourists will be revised downwards. "We will have around 9.3 million tourists this deadline," Boussaid announcement.
But in terms of revenue, and most importantly, the aim will be to appointments, reassured the minister. They will far exceed expectations. The ministry on the table from 527 billion dirham against the 480 billion originally planned. This should not hamper the commitment of Morocco to devote 1% of the revenue to promote, in accordance with international standards.
In addition, Boussaid relative optimism. In fact, appear. First, it refers to the lack of diversification still focused on traditional markets (France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom, Netherlands). Alone, these 7 markets account for 80% of tourist flows. However, these markets is affected hit by the declining purchasing power, including the immediate affects the budget and leisure travel. But Boussaid continues to invest in these markets. Moreover, the new campaign, launched Monday, target these markets there.
Other balls, not least, the delays in the policy of the tourism environment in general. "We did not pay enough attention to local governance," criticizes Boussaid. He particularly mentioned the delays in urban, mobility problems, quality of accommodations, classification of hotel facilities, quality service ...
To remedy the situation, a restructuring of the tourism trade is in the pipe. Moreover, the Finance Act 2009 gives a supplementary budget dedicated to training and upgrading of 17 schools and institutes of Tangier, trust. In addition, a new law on the guides, a study on transportation, another on travel agencies and the quality of accommodation ... are scheduled.
So many sites to be included in the Vision 2020, which will be more qualitative. The challenge is to raise standards and focus approach around the notion of territory. In the end, capturing a regional application and changing world. The challenge is to make tourism a vehicle for regional development, investing more in "brand Morocco".
The new global economy calls for more realistic ambitions. That is precisely the case of overnight stays, the capacity of litter and economic weight in GDP. Only 20 million nights will be achievable by 2010 against 50 million planned. Some 230,000 new beds announced, we will finally that about 200,000. The minister attributed the downward revision to "discrepancies and delays in the vision of the Azur Plan." Delays in some yards in the seaside resorts are many. The gap training HR / demand is also for something.
"But the industry can rebound. The springs are there, "Boussaid for reassurance that" the fundamentals are strong. " It is demonstrated annual revenue / tourist who has never declined since 2001. It rose from 592 dollars to 990. This, according to the minister, information on the quality of supply Morocco. Moreover, the volume of investments increased from $ 320 million in 2002 to 1.29 billion in 2007. The need to travel can never fade, say professionals. The 900 million tourists worldwide in 2007 will not be reduced to zero. Rather, the pace of travel that could stagnate or decline, experts predict.
Please note that from 2001 to 2007, the direct contribution to GDP in major markets competitors gives Morocco a respectable ranking.
If in the world, this contribution was 4.8% over the same period, it reached 9.7% in Morocco (it would be only 3.3% a year without Vision 2010). It was 15.5 in Egypt, 12.2 in Turkey and 4.3% in Tunisia.

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