Morocco to invest US$ 10 billion in tourism by 2010

Morocco plans to invest 90 billion DH (US$ 10 billion) in tourism by 2010, including 40 billion (US$ 4.4 billion) in hotel infrastructure to raise accommodation capacity nationwide to 230,000 beds, and in the training of at least 70,000 professionals, said on Monday minister of tourism, handicraft and social economy, Adil Diouri.

The minister told the productive sectors committee at the House of Representatives (lower parliament chamber), the Moroccan "Vision-2010" strategy, meant to attract 10 million tourists by 2010, evolves around 4 major components: training, air transport, marketing and institutional environment.

He also informed the committee on projects to increase the budget of the Moroccan tourism office (ONMT).

Although the World Tourism Organization called 2003 "the worst year" for the sector, Douiri said hotel nights were almost stable and hardly dropped by 1% while the number of tourists increased by 6%. He explained that the sector managed to overcome effects of the terrorist attacks of May 2003.

For Moroccan nationals, he explained that the ministry is trying to create a product that suits Moroccans who are looking for "a family vacation atmosphere" and need, therefore, accommodation different from hotels.

The minister also stressed the need to adopt inciting infrastructures for rural tourism buffs, mainly roads and accommodation facilities.