Morocco’s Vision 2020 Strategy, Unique Model Combining Vigorous Growth, Responsible Management of Environment & Respect for Socio-cultural Authenticity (OECD)
Morocco’s Vision 2020 Tourism Strategy is a unique tourism model that combines vigorous growth with responsible management of the environment and respect for socio-cultural authenticity, the OECD pointed out in its “Tourism Trends and Policies 2016” report.
Morocco’s Vision 2020 Tourism Strategy aims to double the size of the Moroccan tourist industry, pushing it into the world’s top 20 tourist destinations and establishing Morocco’s sustainable development credentials in the Mediterranean basin, the report went on, noting that the Strategy is based on three fundamentals: a regional planning policy for tourism, a new governance structure and an embedded sustainable development approach.
Morocco has played a key role in promoting the sustainable development of tourism, the source said, adding that in 2014 it was voted co-lead of the Sustainable Tourism Programme, which is part of the United Nation’s 10-Year Framework on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10 YFP).
Within Morocco, Vision 2020 follows the principles of sustainable development, with a focus on improving relevant skills in the sector through an e-learning platform, awareness raising measures and good practice guides, the report noted, adding that the Ministry is tracking sustainability through the use of indicators that are being rolled out nationwide and also seeks to use tourism in the protection and promotion of ecological sites and has undertaken pilot projects on the impact of tourism on local people.
Tourism is one of the main economic drivers in Morocco and the Moroccan tourism sector “performed well in 2014 with international tourist arrivals reaching 10.3 million, up 2.4% year on year,” the report said, adding that the sector employed 505 000 people (4.7% of total jobs) and contributed MAD 61.9 billion to GDP (6.7% of total GDP).
Internal tourism consumption amounted to MAD 105.5 billion and France remains the Moroccan’s strongest inbound travel market, with nearly 1.8 million tourists, representing 17.4% of the total arrivals in Morocco in 2014.
The other major source markets for Moroccan tourism are Spain (6.6%), followed by the United Kingdom (4.6%), which has grown by 73.4% between 2008 and 2014, and Belgium (around 2.6%), according to the same source.
Tourism is the biggest component of service exports, generating foreign currency income of MAD 59.3 billion, up by 2.9% from 2013, the report went on, adding that international travel receipts accounted for 45% of Morocco’s service exports in 2014.
Morocco is tracking sustainability through the use of indicators that are being rolled out nationwide. It also seeks to use tourism in the protection and promotion of ecological sites and has undertaken pilot projects on the impact of tourism on local residents.
OECD Tourism Trends and Policies 2016 identifies key tourism trends and policy priorities based on evidence provided by 50 OECD and partner countries. Specific topics covered include tourism trends and policy priorities, transport to enhance the visitor experience and policies for the tourism sharing economy.
MAP 11 August 2016