Morocco planning large tourism project in Marrakesh suburbs

Morocco is planning to launch a large scale tourism project in the region of Marrakesh.

Moroccan and foreign investors have so far raised $17.3 million to contribute to the project, whose overall cost amounts to $25 million.

The project, destined to bolster Morocco's tourism activities, provides for the construction by next spring of a tourist complex over a 170 hectare area.

The complex will include tourist villages of 250 chambers or bungalows, conference rooms, a golf course and other entertainment facilities.

In 1998, nearly two million foreign tourists visited Morocco earning the country around $1.6 billion, representing a 20% increase compared to the returns posted in 1997.

The tourism sector in Morocco offers around 600,000 direct or indirect jobs.