Moroccan Tourism Off to a Good Start in 2013

The new year has started well for the tourism industry with a 3% rise in January 2013 compared to January 2012. Visitors from Spain showed a positive trend with 8% growth, 2% for Germany, 7% from the UK and 2% and 4% for Belgium and Holland.

In contrast, the French market showed no growth but remained stable.

Overnight stays in registered accommodation establishments increased by 14% in January 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. The majority of Moroccan tourist destinations showed an increase of overnight stays. Marrakech and Agadir were up respectively 20% and 15%. Casablanca rose by 3%, Ouarzazate by 7% and Fez did particularly well with an increase of 16%.

A concerted push into the European market continues with the CEO of Moroccan Tourism, Imad Barrakad and several stakeholders involved in the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF), exhibiting and holding tourism investment meetings in Berlin from 4 to 6 March. The purpose of this venture is to strengthen Morocco's image among investors of the European continent and also with the major international operators in the sector.

Agadir is to get a boost from Egyptian conglomerate Amer Group which has announced the signing of a framework agreement with the Ministry of Tourism of Morocco to develop the project "Porto Agadir" which covers an area of 1.2 million m2, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. This project aims to develop a new tourism in Morocco with a focus on families. At completion Porto Agadir will include amusement parks, hotels, shopping centres, cinemas and various activities and entertainment for children.

HM The King Presides Over Signing Of Agreements On Restoration Of Historical Monuments, Addressing Buildings In Danger Of Collapse In Fez

Fez is also set to benefit after HM King Mohammed VI yesterday presided over a signing ceremony at Place R'cif. The signing ceremony was of agreements on the restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings, as well as treatment of derelict buildings, located within the the Fez Medina.

At the ceremony the Minister of Housing, Urban Planning and Urban Policy, Mohamed Nabil Benabdellah, presented to the Sovereign a presentation on the program, which will involve an investment of the order of 285 5 million DH and focus on the rehabilitation of 5 Medersas, 4 Borjs, 3 Foundouks, 3 tanneries, 2 Walls, 2 Bridges and 8 various monuments including the library Al Quaraouiyine.

The new programme, which covers the period 2013-2017, includes work on 3666 buildings in danger of collapse in the Medina. he said.

Under the direction of the Agency for Rehabilitation and Densification of Fez (ADER-Fes), there will be, under the first convention, processing about 1,729 buildings (1st degree), with a contribution from the State for the benefit of people affected, while 1,937 buildings (2nd and 3rd degree) will receive a follow-up according to their degree of dangerousness. A budget of almost 330 million DH was mobilized in the framework of this agreement, which covers a period of 5 years from 2013.

The second agreement providing for an investment of 285.5 million dirhams, for the restoration of 27 monuments which will be integrated in the areas of tourism, crafts, economic and cultural.

After the ceremony the King made a walking tour through the Medina streets to visit the monuments that will be rehabilitated, including the Khrachfiyine Bridge, the Medersa Mohammadia, the Medersa Seffarine, the Souk Sebbaghine and the Terrafine Bridge.

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