Moroccan tourism hit in the heart
In French tour operators, time is the early cancellations. Shortly after the attack that killed 16 people in the city center of Marrakech, Current Travel Agency in Paris has recorded its first withdrawal for a stay in Morocco. "Right now, we expect to learn further, perhaps to discourage strongly to reach customers," said Audrey Thuillard, an employee, who claims hold "until three or four trips per month "in this country. Ditto for the agency Solari, also based in the capital. "We have several departures scheduled soon, said her manager, Barbara Solari. Of course, we will notify our customers and there will probably withdraw.But for now, we do not close sales. "Without illusion, it considers that the fact that at least six French have died in the attack will" and against "the Kingdom of Morocco as a holiday destination .
However, if Morocco were to be shunned by tourists, the consequences could be disastrous for the economy. In fact, the sector weighs 10% of GDP and is the first post of foreign exchange earnings. Summarizing the situation, Kader Abderrahim, researcher and expert on North Africa at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), judge that by targeting the Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, tourist mecca of the city, the attack "hit the kingdom in his heart.""You can expect an ebb in the number of tourists after the bombing of the Hotel Asni in August 1994 and those in Casablanca in 2003 and 2007," he adds, noting that "the country has of years to recover. " In another context, too violent revolutions that Arab Kader Abderrahim adds that in Tunisia, "tourism has dropped by more than 50%" since the fall of President Ben Ali.
"Morocco does not have the resources of Algeria"
What seize the ambitions of the Moroccan government on tourism, which sees in this sector the main driver of growth in the years to come. Last November, he launched the "Plan 2011-2020" which aims to make this country of 32 million inhabitants "the twentieth tourist destination," as he swings around the time of the thirtieth position World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).A total of one million new jobs must be created in particular, with an annual revenue target of $ 13.15 billion, reports Les Echos. And for good reason, "Morocco is not Algeria," said Kader Abderrahim, referring to oil and gas resources of the neighbor. "Apart from a little phosphate, the country that has tourism."
Recognizing these issues, and knowing that the French weigh two million passengers over the 9.4 million that Morocco hosted last year, Alain Juppe believes that there is "no reason today to give up a trip to Morocco. " "In this region, in general, the terrorist threat is high and permanent," has justified the Foreign Minister, saying that "the Moroccan authorities are able to provide security in the country." Statements that leave no doubt the leaders of the Centre for the Study of tour operators (CETO) perplexed.Collecting 80% of tour operators of the Hexagon, the organization did not want Friday morning "not comment" on any cessation of travel to Morocco. Before you do the same ministry in the early afternoon, just noting that "all members" hold for the time their departures.
