Spanish group to inject $100 million into tourism project in Agadir

The Spanish "Sol Melia" tourism group will inject $100 million into a tourism project in the southern Moroccan city of Agadir.

The amount will finance the construction of two luxury hotels, a therapy center, a conference hall and an 18-hole golf course.

The project was presented to King Mohammed VI at a meeting in Rabat on Monday by the chairman of the Sol Melia group, Gabriel Escarrer, who was accompanied by Prince Zourab Tckotoua.

The project related convention was signed here on Monday by the group chairman, Gabriel Escarrer, and by ministers of economy and finance, Fathallah Oualalou, of tourism, Hassan Sebbar, of transport, Mustapha Mansouri, and of water and forests, Said Chbaatou.

The tourism compound will extend over 120 hectares, and each of the hotels will have 500 accommodation units including hotel suites, bungalow suites and garden villas. Besides the golf course, the compound will have two swimming pools, a casino and other facilities.

Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, who attended the ceremony, termed the signing of the convention "a great event" as one of the world leaders in matters of tourism and leisure will be operating in Morocco. This will mark a turning point in tourism industry in the kingdom, he said.

Gabriel Escarrer on his part said with the signing of this convention "our dreams have come true." After he underlined Morocco's tourism assets and the investors' trust in Morocco, he said the project will contribute to promoting luxury tourism in the country. He also voiced his group's determination to contribute to the promotion of tourism industry in Morocco and to make the kingdom benefit from its technology and know-how.

After the completion of the Agadir project, Morocco wishes that the group will launch similar initiatives in the north of the country.