Tourism in Morocco

Tourism in Morocco

Tourism in Morocco is well developed, with a strong tourist industry focused on the country's coast, culture, and history. Morocco has been one of the most politically stable countries in North Africa, which has allowed tourism to develop. The Moroccan government created a Ministry of Tourism in 1985.

History of tourism

Tourism in Sahara

In the second half of the 1980s and the early 1990s, between 1 and 1.5 million Europeans visited Morocco. Most of these visitors were French or Spanish, with about 100,000 each from Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands. Tourists mostly visited large beach resorts along the Atlantic coast, particularly Agadir. About 20,000 people from Saudi Arabia visited, some of whom bought holiday homes. Receipts from tourism fell by 16.5% in 1990, the year the Gulf War began. In 1994, Algeria closed its border with Morocco after the Marrakech attack, this caused the number of Algerian visitors to fall considerably; there were 70,000 visitors in 1994 and 13,000 in 1995, compared to 1.66 million in 1992 and 1.28 million in 1993. In 2008 there were 8 million tourist arrivals, compared with about 7.4 million in 2007 i.e. a 7% growth compared to 2007 30% of the tourists in 2008 were one of the 3.8 million Moroccans living abroad. Most of the visitors to Morocco continue to be European, with French and Spanish nationals making up almost 40% of all visitors. Most Europeans visit in April and the autumn, apart from the Spanish, who mostly visit in June and August. In 2013, Morocco attracted more than 10 million international tourists and is the most visited country of Africa.

Tourism industry

Tourist receipts in 2007 totaled US$7.55 billion. Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner in Morocco, after the phosphate industry. The Moroccan government is heavily investing in tourism development. A new tourism strategy called Vision 2010 was developed after the accession of King Mohammed VI in 1999. The government has targeted that Morocco will have 10 million visitors by 2010, with the hope that tourism will then have risen to 20% of GDP. A large government sponsored marketing campaigns to attract tourists advertised Morocco as a cheap and exotic, yet safe, place for European tourists.

Morocco's relatively high amount of tourists has been aided by its location, tourist attractions, and relatively low price. Cruise ships visit the ports of Casablanca and Tangier. Morocco is close to Europe and attracts visitors to its beaches. Because of its proximity to Spain, tourists in southern Spain's coastal areas take one- to three-day trips to Morocco. Air services between Morocco and Algeria have been established, many Algerians have gone to Morocco to shop and visit family and friends. Morocco is relatively inexpensive because of the devaluation of the dirham and the increase of hotel prices in Spain. Morocco has an excellent road and rail infrastructure that links the major cities and tourist destinations with ports and cities with international airports. Low-cost airlines offer cheap flights to the country.

Plan Azur

The "Plan Azur", is a large scale project initiated by king Mohammed VI, is meant to internationalise Morocco. The plan provides for creating six coastal resorts for holiday-home owners and tourists (five on the Atlantic coast and one on the Mediterranean), the daily telegraph noted. The plan also includes other large-scale development projects such as upgrading regional airports to attract budget airlines, and building new train and road links. Thus, the country achieved an 11% percent rise in tourism in the first five months of 2008 compared with the same period last year, it said, adding that French visitors topped the list with 927,000 followed by Spaniards (587,000) and Britons (141,000). Morocco, which is close to Europe, has a mix of culture and the exotic that makes it popular with Europeans buying holiday homes.[15]

Tourist attractions

The Atlas mountains
Sand dunes in Morocco
Malabata Coast in Tangier
Bou Inania Madrasa in Fes
Old defense walls of Essaouira
Swany water reserve in Meknes
Ifrane, "Morocco's Switzerland"
The beach and Kasbah at Agadir

The country's attractions can be divided into seven regions:[1]

While Morocco was a French Protectorate (from 1912 to 1956) tourism was focused on urban areas such as the Mediterranean cities of Tangier and Casablanca. Tangier attracted many writers, such as Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs. There was a period of beach resort development at places such as Agadir on the Atlantic coast in the 1970s and 1980s.[2]

Tourism is increasingly focused on Morocco's culture, such as its ancient cities. The modern tourist industry capitalizes on Morocco's ancient Roman and Islamic sites, and on its landscape and cultural history. 60% of Morocco's tourists visit for its culture and heritage.[2]

Agadir is a major coastal resort and has a third of all Moroccan bed nights. It is a base for tours to the Atlas Mountains.[1] Other resorts in north Morocco are also very popular.[3] Casablanca is the major cruise port in Morocco, and has the best developed market for tourists in Morocco.[1]

As of 2006, activity and adventure tourism in the Atlas and Rif Mountains are the fastest growth area in Moroccan tourism. These locations have excellent walking and trekking opportunities from late March to mid-November.[2] The government is investing in trekking circuits. They are also developing desert tourism in competition with Tunisia.[2]

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Morocco is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Site Image Location Criteria Area
ha (acre)
 Year Description
Archaeological Site of Volubilis A picture of a rectangular building whose back side has been demolished. A green mountain range fills the background. Meknes Cultural:
(ii), (iii), (iv), (vi) 		42 (100) 1997 The important Roman outpost of Volubilis was founded in the 3rd century BCE to become the capital of Mauritania. It contained many buildings, the remains of which have survived extensively to this day.[4]
Historic City of Meknes A picture of a large gate several metres high covered with various abstract designs. Meknes Cultural:
(iv)		 — 1996 The former capital was founded in the 11th century and turned into a city with Spanish-Moorish influence during the 17th and 18th centuries.[5]
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou A distant view of a monotonous city on a very slanted hill. Aït Benhaddou
(Ouarzazate Province) 		Cultural:
(iv), (v)		 3 (7.4) 1987 The ksar is an example of a traditional pre-Saharan habitat, surrounded by high walls and reinforced with corner towers.[6]
Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador) A seaside view of a large city enclosed by an orange barricade. Essaouira Cultural:
(ii), (iv)		 30 (74) 2001 The fortified seaport built during the late 18th century has a mix of North African and European architecture, and was a major trading hub between the Sahara and Europe.[7]
Medina of Fez A picture of a sun-lit back alley with trash scattered across the area. Various buildings of varying architecture are clearly visible. Fez Cultural:
(ii), (v)		 280 (690) 1981 The former capital was founded in the 9th century and features the world's oldest university. The urban fabric and main monuments date from the 13th and 14th centuries.[8]
Medina of Marrakesh A ground view of an artificially lit tower, reaching several storeys high, at the beginning of a sunset. Marrakesh Cultural:
(i), (ii),
(iv), (v) 		1,107 (2,740) 1985 The town was founded in the 1070s and remained a political, economic, and cultural centre for a long time. Monuments from that period include the Koutoubia Mosque, the kasbah, and the battlements. The city also holds newer features, including palaces.[9]
Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin) A picture of a very large and cramped city, set on a very slanted hill. Tétouan Cultural:
(ii), (iv), (v) 		7 (17) 1997 Morocco's most complete medina served as the main point of contact between Morocco and Andalusia during the 8th century. The town was rebuilt by Andalusian refugees following the reconquista.[10]
Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida) A panoramic view of a large city, largely coloured beige. El Jadida Cultural:
(ii), (iv)		 8 (20) 2004 The fortification, akin to Renaissance military design from the early 16th century, was taken over by Morocco in 1769. Surviving buildings include the cistern and a Gothic church.[11]
Rabat, modern capital and historic city A large, architecturally detailed entrance to a big palace. Several guards are posted out front. Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer Cultural:
(ii), (iv) 		349 (860) 2012 Rebuilt under the direction of the French from 1912 to the 1930s, the city blends historic and modern features, such as botanical gardens, the Hassan Mosque, and the remnants of Moorish and Andalusian settlements from the 17th century.[12]

Marrakesh

Marrakech in central Morocco is a popular tourist destination, but is more popular among tourists for one- and two-day excursions that provide a taste of Morocco's history and culture.[3] The Majorelle botanical garden in Marrakech is a popular tourist attraction. It was bought by the fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1980. Their presence in the city helped to boost the city's profile as a tourist destination.[13]

Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh
Marrakesh railway station
Old city walls of Marrakesh

El Jadida

El Jadida panorama
Main article: El Jadida

El Jadida, formerly called Mazagan by the Portuguese, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, on the basis of its status as an "outstanding example of the interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures" and as an "early example of the realisation of the Renaissance ideals integrated with Portuguese construction technology". According to UNESCO,[14] the most important buildings from the Portuguese period are the cistern, and the Manueline Church of the Assumption.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hudman, Lloyd E. (2002). Geography of Travel & Tourism. Thomson Delmar Learning. p. 367. ISBN 0-7668-3256-2.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Shackley, Myra (2006). Atlas of Travel And Tourism Development. Butterworth-Heinemann. pp. 43–44. ISBN 0-7506-6348-0.
  3. 1 2 The Middle East and North Africa 2003. Europa Publications, Routledge. 2002. p. 863. ISBN 1-85743-132-4.
  4. ↑ "Archaeological Site of Volubilis". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  5. ↑ "Historic City of Meknes". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  6. ↑ "Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  7. ↑ "Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador)". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  8. ↑ "Medina of Fez". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  9. ↑ "Medina of Marrakesh". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  10. ↑ "Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin)". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  11. ↑ "Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida)". UNESCO. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  12. ↑ "Rabat, modern capital and historic city: a shared heritage". UNESCO. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  13. ↑ Reuters (2008-06-11). "Yves Saint Laurent's Ashes Scattered In Marrakesh". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-14.
  14. ↑ "Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida) - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Morocco.
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