The first edition of the “Siyaha” Regional Tourism Forum started on Wednesday January 15 in Essaouira, bringing together decision-makers, experts, and key players in the sector to discuss ways to innovate and promote sustainable tourism in the Marrakech-Safi region.
During his speech, Adil El Maliki, governor of the province of Essaouira, highlighted the symbolic choice of the city, emphasizing its central role in the economic and social development of the region. He presented a promising assessment for 2024:
- Hotel capacity increased to 11,252 beds, almost doubled compared to 2019.
- 8% increase in overnight stays with an average occupancy rate of 47%.
- Major investments of 3 billion dirhams, including the relaunch of the Mogador station and the creation of more than 20,000 jobs in the short and medium term.
Among the structuring projects underway are the rehabilitation of the old medina, the construction of the City of Arts and Culture (65% of the work completed) and the improvement of access to the Atlantic coast, in particular the coastal road linking Safi and Essaouira.
Exceptional tourism potential to be exploited
Kamal Ben Khaled, president of the Regional Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Marrakech-Safi, underlined the central position of the region in the national tourism landscape. He also recalled the unique opportunities offered by the organization of major international sporting events, such as CAN 2025 and the 2030 World Cup, which could sustainably transform the tourism sector and attract up to 26 million tourists by 2030.
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For his part, Samir Goudar, president of the Marrakech-Safi Regional Council, insisted on the need to strengthen Essaouira’s connectivity with other economic centers through modern infrastructure, such as a highway and a railway line, as well as a better equipped airport.
International recognition and future prospects
The president of the Essaouira Municipal Council, Tarik Ottmani, pleaded for continued improvement of infrastructure in order to position Essaouira among the most popular global tourist destinations. In this context, the coastal village of Moulay Bouzerktoun, located in the province, was distinguished by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN-Tourism) with the “Best Tourism Villages” award for its commitment to sustainable tourism and the preservation of its heritage.
This Forum marks a turning point for Essaouira and the Marrakech-Safi region, consolidating their status as pillars of Moroccan tourism and paving the way for sustainable economic and cultural growth.
