The Ministry of Tourism, Crafts, Social and Solidarity Economy, in collaboration with the Moroccan Tourist Engineering Company (SMIT), oversees a project aimed at enhancing 16 tourist villages in several regions of Morocco, with a global of 188 million dirhams.
According to a statement from the ministry, this project, which is part of the 2023-2026 tourism roadmap, aims to strengthen rural tourism, create sustainable jobs and consolidate the role of tourism as that essential lever of local social and economic development.
This program, which extends until 2026, will make it possible to implement tourism development projects in the 16 selected villages. Each village will benefit from specific support aimed at improving existing infrastructure and creating new suitable tourist infrastructure, whether innovative accommodation or cultural and leisure equipment.
The Moroccan tourist engineering company will ensure the implementation of projects to guarantee their compliance with the objectives and principles of sustainable tourism.
To ensure the success of this program, four strategic partnerships were concluded with national and international actors to bring their expertise. These partnerships include Club Med, Marriott, Experiencia and Madaëf.
The 16 villages will be divided into four geographical groups reflecting the diversity of the natural assets of Morocco.
The first group includes Dar El Hamra, a village known for its traditional houses and picturesque agricultural landscapes, Aïn Leuh, located in the heart of a cedar forest near Azrou and Ifrane, Zaouiat Ifrane, renowned for its waterfalls and Its hiking trails, as well as Iin Tizgha, renowned for its traditional agricultural practices and its authentic local cuisine.
-The second group brings together IMSOUANE, destination prized for surfers for its marine landscapes and local cuisine, IMI OUADDAR, a seaside village with magnificent beaches, Ksar Aït Ben Haddou, classified as World Heritage of UNESCO for its adobe architecture, and KSAR Tizgui, a fortified village offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding oases.
The third group includes Imlil, an access door to hikes to Mont Toubkal, Oukaïmeden, the main ski resort in Morocco located in the Atlas, Ouzoud mountains, known for its spectacular waterfalls, and Zaouiat Ahansal, famous for Its mountainous landscapes and hiking trails.
The last group brings together Icherten, nestled in the Rif mountains with its impressive panoramas, Jajouka, renowned for its ancestral musical traditions, Tafoughalt, located in the mountains of Béni-Snassen and known for its historic caves, as well as Ooulmes, famous for its sources and local traditions.
To strengthen the attractiveness of these villages, a targeted marketing strategy will be implemented, including partnerships with tourism professionals. These collaborations will make it possible to transform these villages into choice destinations, meeting the expectations of tourists looking for immersive and exclusive experiences.
The ministry’s press release concludes that this ambitious program is part of a broader dynamic of diversification of the tourist offer in rural areas, by the creation of culinary discovery circuits, the promotion and creation of cultural festivals, as well as development digital platforms for the sale of craft and premises products.
