Morocco rewards Spanish tour operators

Moroccan tourism minister, Hassan Sebbar, on Wednesday handed to Spanish tour operators featuring trips to Morocco "Morocco trophies."

He thanked the Spanish travel professionals, the representation in Spain of the Moroccan tourism office, and Moroccan air carrier (Royal Air Maroc) for their efforts that helped bring more Spanish tourists to Morocco (260,000 in 1999)The minister is in Spain to attend the International tourism fair 2000 and the extraordinary session of the World Tourism Organization executive committee.

The international tourism fair, opened on Wednesday by king Juan Carlos, extends over 100,000 square meters and exhibits tourism products by 8,000 participants from 170 countries.

The minister told MAP bureau in Madrid Morocco has fulfilled its short-term goal as it exceeded four million foreign tourists in two years and Moroccan tourism is faring quiet well with a 18% growth rate, which is the double of the African rate.

Although these figures are conform to Moroccan capacities, they remain below real potentials which need an expansion of offer, he regretted.

The World Tourism Organization's extraordinary session was held at the request of France and Portugal.