The Kingdom of Morocco Attractiveness and Potentialities H.E. Mr. Abdelkader LECHEHEB Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Russian Federation Moscow, April, 28, 2010

1- Country profile 2- Importance of the tourism sector for the country 3- Moroccan tourism assets 4- 2010 Tourism Vision 5- Importance of Russia to Moroccan tourism

1-Country Profile LOCATION: NORTH WEST OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT Area : 710 850 KM² POPULATION : 30 MILLION URBAN POPULATION : 56% CAPITAL CITY: RABAT French&English: used by Business community CURRENCY: DIRHAM RUR1= 0.25DH

Geography and Climate - Fertile plains - Desert Geographical diversity: - Mountain chains - Fertile plains - Desert Climate: - Temperate climate in the Mediterranean area (8°C-27°C) -Saharan climate in the south (3°C-50°C)

History of Morocco Berbers first inhabitants of Morocco Phoenicians had established a maritime trading posts in Morocco from the 12 century BC Romans had been also established in Morocco: Volubilis Roman Archeological site near Meknes (World heritage) Arabs from the 7th century                

2 - Importance of the tourism sector for the economy of the country 9% of the Morocco’s GDP Direct and indirect jobs: 640.000 Important source of foreign currency

Some data for the year 2009 Inbound tourists: more than 9 million Despite the crisis increase of 7% in the number of tourists and 16% in overnight stays 16.2 million of overnight stays/13.2 million in 2004 Europe is a main tourist market for Morocco. Russia: in average 30,000 visitors/year

3-Moroccan Tourism Assets 2009: more than 9 million tourists Easy access to the country from major European capitals Long and rich cultural history Diversity of landscapes: the visitor of Morocco can travel from snow peaks to the Saharan desert in a single day Casablanca Flights per week Flight duration Paris 35 2:40 London 14 3:00 Milan Madrid 1:15 Frankfurt 11 New York 10 6:00 Moscow - 5:30

Moroccan Tourism Assets Morocco has a considerable tourism assets making the country one of the most diversified tourism destination in the world - Seaside resorts - Cultural tourism - Sport tourism - Mountain tourism

Attractiveness of Morocco Many famous artists and writers were fascinated by Morocco: Matisse, Delacroix, etc Because of its natural beauties, Morocco has attracted many filmmakers Russian TV channels are more and more interested to shoot documentaries about Morocco

Seaside Resorts Morocco has 2 costline on the medi and the Atlantic ocean: 3500 km of coastline Main element of the Morocco tourism industry Attract most of the tourists from Europe New resorts has been identified in the 2010 Vision (Azur Plan)

Some of the Seaside Resorts projected in the Azur Plan Saidia: on the Mediterranean cost, paseo maritimo of 6 km Expected capacity: 28,000 beds, 3 golf courses Khemis Sahel: on the Atlantic Ocean at the foot of the archeological site of Lixus Expected capacity: 11,860 beds, 2 golf courses El Haouzia(Mazagan): 80 km far from Casablanca (Economic capital of Morocco) 8,000 beds, 2 golf courses and many facilities for mater activities Mogador: 4 km far from city of Essaouira listed world heritage 10,580 beds, 3golf courses and many other facilities

Cultural Tourism (1) Cultural tourism is becoming one of the most attraction for foreign tourist to learn about the history and the art of the country Imperial cities (Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh and Rabat): almost half of the total arrivals of foreign tourist in the country Morocco has curently 7 world heritage sites: 1-Medina of Fez 2-Medina of Marrakesh 3-Ksar Ait Ben Haddou 4-Historic City of Meknes 5-Archeological Site of Volubilis 6-Medina of Tetouan 7-Medina of Essaouira

Cultural Tourism (2) Handicrafts Traitionnal festivals: Rose Festival, Sacred Music Festival, Weedings Festival, etc) Museums Gastronomy Recently Morocco has encouraged the restoration of the “ryads” traditionnal guest houses with gorgeous architecture and design

Rural Tourism Morocco has natural assets regarding this kind of tourism: diversity of scenarios: From the north of the country, mountain chains to the Sahara in the south Morocco has been developing this niche, which include: climbing, hiking, skiing

Sport tourism In Morocco visitors can enjoy a large number of water sports: surfing, wind surfing, yachting fishig, etc Other kind of sports are developed in Morocco: golf (20 golf courses, and many others are projected in the 2010 Tourism Vision), tennis, horse-riding,etc

4-2010 Tourism Vision in Morocco (1) The project has been launched in 2001 Main objectives: to welcome 10 million tourist by 2010 Outline of the Project - Improving the infrastructures: Triplicate the number of hotel rooms from 80,000 to 240,000

2010 Tourism Vision in Morocco (2) -Six major new coastal resorts to be developed -1,000 km of new roads to be constructed -600,000 new jobs to be created - Improving the professional qualification and the training of the staff: 75,000 young Moroccan will undergo formal training in the hospitality sector

5-Importance of Russia to Moroccan tourism Tourism agreement Opening of the representation of the Moroccan National Tourist Office in Moscow Opening of the direct flight Moscow – Casablanca Moroccan strategy towards Russian market

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