By SAMIA BOUFOUS (MAP)
Casablanca – The battery of measures deployed in favor of Moroccan tourism to ensure its revival, opens up promising prospects for this sector strongly shaken by the multifaceted crisis, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, with companies shut down for more than 15 months.
Considered one of the jewels of the Moroccan economy, this sector which weighs 7% of the national gross domestic product (GDP) is called, more than ever, to gain more competitiveness and innovation in order to better meet the demands of the Moroccan population and, ultimately, safeguard the thousands of jobs that were at stake.
It is in this sense that the thinning of the national tourist trend begins to take shape and the sector begins to take its head slightly out of the water, with a rather favorable recovery, characterized by an increasing tourist frequentation over the weeks and a constant increase in reservations which augurs well for a good summer season.
A dynamic that was undoubtedly ensured, thanks to the royal directives aiming to simplify the return of Moroccans residing abroad (MRE) to the country at reasonable prices, to the creation of new airlines, to the advancement of vaccination operation, the relaxation of barrier gestures and above all the great mobilization of players in the tourism industry to ensure an effective and efficient recovery.
Indeed, the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) as part of its commitment to sustainable resilience, has launched its marketing system aimed at allowing all the components of the various ecosystems of the said sector to regain vitality. pre-crisis, in particular with recent indicators that give rise to optimism.
It was also a question of launching a citizen campaign and a call for expressions of interest intended for the production of regional campaigns to promote domestic tourism to support all stakeholders in the field, as well as the design of a major study aimed at to better assess the different behaviors and expectations of the priority categories.
Not to mention the “Corporate” brand, reflecting the interest of the players in this ecosystem for the Office’s new approach as a sector coordinator, or the launch of a new television program entitled “Zour Bladek”, aimed at to foster the desire for new experiences accessible to the greatest number of tourists. It is the case to say it, all the ingredients are there for a real rebound in this sector!
“Between hotels that provide tempting promotions of up to -70% with a health protocol followed to the letter to preserve the health of customers, exceptional discounts targeting MRE and promotional offers provided by tourist carriers, the summer season can only be launched under good auspices, “Fouzi Zemrani, vice-president of the National Tourism Confederation (CNT), told MAP in a statement.
Addressing domestic tourism in particular, Mr. Zemrani noted that it “does not only concern tourism professionals” but all Moroccans and must be a right for all in the same way as education or health, since it participates in the well-being of all, calling in this sense for the need to “develop a proactive policy” for its development and to put in place incentive measures for both consumers and stakeholders.
And to continue that for internal tourism, “there is something for all budgets, from the rental of fully furnished apartments to luxury villas with dedicated staff ready to satisfy all desires, including wild camping. on the edge of the Wadis and on the coast, not to mention the bed and breakfast in unclassified hotels “, he pointed out.
He then said that the ideal would be to allow the Moroccan tourism sector to give itself the means to offer services more suited to more demanding customers while being more respectful of the environment and offering a fluid experience. for the traveler.
In addition, Mohamed Ouadoud, director of a hotel unit in Kénitra, noted a “more or less remarkable” progression of tourist activity in the region after the resumption of international air traffic and all the measures undertaken by professionals. of the domain.
In this sense, Mr. Ouadoud called on the professional confederations of the travel and tourism sectors as well as the public authorities to continue to strengthen their coordination mechanisms in order to better support companies, especially the smallest, as well as workers in the sector. , also noting the imperative to take a very close interest in the most sensitive or vulnerable destinations during the recovery phase.
It is clear that the measures undertaken today are likely to refine the tourism of tomorrow, but it is still necessary, now, to reflect on the various implications of the crisis in the longer term, to succeed in the digital shift and support the structural transformation, which remains necessary to forge a stronger, more sustainable and more resilient tourism industry!