Moroccan tourism strategy faces difficulties, hotel federation chairman

The implementation of the 2010 tourism development strategy, targeting to reach 10 million tourists in 2010, is facing numerous difficulties in spite of the progress made lately in this field, said chairman of the Moroccan federation of the hotel industry (FNIH), Abderrahim Oumani.

On the eve of the 5th annual national tourism convention to be held in the Moroccan Southern town of Ouarzazate January 13 to 15, Oumani surveyed the accomplishments in tourism areas, mainly the management handover of four tourist resorts, air transport liberalisation, priority granted to tour operatorsÉ

He however noted that difficulties hindering the tourism strategy implementation arise from poor coordination in the carrying out of the various projects and delay in the restructuring plan of the tourism ministry and the national tourism office (ONMPT).

Oumani called on the government to keep its promises to fund tourist projects and promote investments in the sector, and stressed the need to increase hotel bed capacities.

The Moroccan official said countryside and mountain tourism made progress and highlight the need to enhance domestic tourism, particularly through promotion campaigns among Moroccan citizens.

The implementation of the 2010 tourism strategy is provided for in the agreement signed by the Moroccan government and the national tourism federation in 2001.