RURAL TOURISM

Country Tourist Home 

Since 2001, tourism has been established as a priority and dynamic sector in the strategy for economic and social development of the Kingdom of MOROCCO and hence rural tourism was included among the niches and develop. 

In this perspective, a study of the Development Strategy of Rural Tourism was conducted by the Moroccan Tourism Engineering Company and recommended the following: 
  • The establishment of conditions that foster stays in rural areas in order to maximize it direct tourism spending 
  • The organization of rural tourism offer around the concept of "Country Tourist Home" (PAT). 
From 2004 to today, nine agreements for the establishment of different PAT were signed and three more ready to sign with public partners. Budgetary contributions earmarked for the implementation of these PAT exceed MDH 320 that induce private investments of about 645 million dirhams. These investments will eventually in 2015 to reach 27,800 ecotourism beds (11,370 in 2009) in the form of cottages, inns, guest house, camping, etc and generate about 19,000 jobs (8,460 in 2009) through the implementation of the various components of the PAT (see summary table attached). The mission of rural tourism development (PAT) is an activity that encompasses all aspects related to the development of industry: 
  • Spatial training 
  • Regulatory information and promotion
Thus, the country is divided into eight major themes Country, namely: 
  1. Member countries Rifains including parts of Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima, Taza, Tetouan 
  2. Country Beni Iznassen and Morocco Oriental covering the hinterland of Saidia and mines and landscapes of the area jrada.
  3. Member countries of the Cédraie - Middle Atlas forests covering lakes Ifrane Khénifra, Sefrou, El Hajeb and Boulmane 
  4. Member countries of the Atlantic Plain that extends between Larache and Safi 
  5. Member countries of the High Atlas includes the parties (i) Central Provinces around Azilal and Beni Mellal (ii) Eastern Highlands around Imilchil and (iii) covering the western Al Haouz Province, of Chichester and part of Taroudant 
  6. The Land of Desert and Oasis: Ouarzazate, Zagora, SN partly Figuig, Tata 
  7. Countries of the argan tree, including parts of Ida Outanane, Chtouka Aït Baha, Taroudant, Tiznit and Hinterland of Essaouira 
  8. Member countries of the Desert Atlantic on the entire Southern Provinces (Tan-Tan, Dakhla, ...) 
objectives 

Two types of goals are linked to the national plan, namely: 

Strategic objectives consist of: 
  • The structure of supply and tourism demand in rural areas for the creation of entire destinations 
  • Rebalancing and the geographical distribution of tourism development 
  • The confortation and diversification of products offered by our resorts and cultural destinations
Related approach "Country" objectives consist of: 
  • The combined efforts and convergence of actions of the various stakeholders in the value for money 
  • The creation and diversification of employment opportunities 
  • The promotion and development of social infrastructure 
  • The alternative income generation and reducing the effects of poverty 
  • The preservation and enhancement of natural and cultural resources 
Composantes

The structuring of the offer, through this national plan, revolves around several key components or areas which include: 
  • Accommodation: increasing the capacity of tourist facilities by upgrading and creating a suitable tourist accommodation 
  • Circuits: reinforcement, landscaping, lighting and signage tours and rural roads for tourism 
  • Animation: development of interpretive centers, development of natural events, craft, cultural, historical sites, and organizing specific event to diversify the tourism offer, extending the length of stay of tourists 
  • Products niche: developing new tourism products around activities such as mountain climbing, rock climbing, paragliding, hunting and fishing tourism etc. 
  • Environment and Heritage: environmental preservation and rehabilitation of heritage 
  • Local products: value to local agricultural and craft products, increase the economic impact on local communities and facilitate the sale of these products (argan oil, honey, cheese, dates 
  • Training and support to improve the quality of service attribute of the tourism chain (lodging, guide ...) for better customer satisfaction 
  • Home, Information and Promotion: Develop a showcase of the country to welcome tourists and provide a taste of the natural assets, cultural and tourism in the region, its specific nature, its richness and diversity and through the creation of the home country 
  • Accompanying measures: establishment of associations of owners of accommodation, tour guides, the association of PAT and all tourism professionals. From 2004 to the present day new partnership agreements for the establishment of different PAT were signed and others in preparation and during diagnosis.