Maroc West: Morocco sees drawing 10 mln tourists by 2010, as realistic target
Morocco, Economics, 12/14/2002

Moroccan tourism minister, Adil Douiri, on Friday said Morocco's objective to draw 10 million tourists by 2010 is a realistic target.

"The fact that a 10-year strategy is signed between the State and the private sector and that H.M. King Mohammed VI makes of this objective a national priority give confidence to investors and financial operators," the Minister told Maroc West daily.

King Mohammed VI set the attracting of 10 million tourists as objective by 2010 during the first national conference of tourism, held in 2000 in Marrakesh.

According to Douiri, in order to ensure conditions of success to this ambitious project "we have worked over a year to reform the real-estate foundations in the country and set tourism development zones." "We are now endeavoring to implement measures likely to increase the number of visitors to Morocco," he said.

Eleven companies out of 22 were selected for the construction of six new sea resorts, based on their financial capabilities, said the minister, adding that reaching 10 million tourists equally requires the construction of 80,000 additional rooms, i.e. 160,000 beds.

The contract signed last October between the Moroccan government and tourism operators, also provides for tax reforms to encourage investors, said Douiri, adding "banks have liquidity, all they need is confidence."

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan businessmen explore partnership with China   (12/7/2002)
  Prime minister forecasts 4% growth rate in 2000-2004   (11/30/2002)
  Liberation: Morocco will have no problem joining the EU, doyle   (11/28/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search