- The Moroccan government has set aside $37.3 million to reduce the impact of global economic crisis on the country’s tourism sector.
The agreement which was signed in Rabat on Tuesday, between the government and the National Tourism Federation is expected to promote Morocco as a tourist destination and develop tourist air links in the country.
Tourism Minister Mohammed Boussaid said Morocco’s tourism, which contributes 9 percent of GDP and creates more than 400,000 direct jobs, is spared from the crisis, but said if the crisis continues, the tourism sector will not survive.
He said tourist arrivals rose by 10 percent in the first four months of 2009, saying the same upward trend, went on during the month of May with 11 percent.
Local reports said the agreement is meant to be a plan of action and a concerted public-private response to the impact of the world crisis on the tourism sector. “It sets out measures aimed at prospecting new markets and maintaining shares in priority ones namely France, Spain, the UK, Italy, Germany and Benelux, and raising tourist arrivals,” MAP has reported.
The partnership among other priorities will include the opening of new resorts, the reinforcing of air transport and launching promotional campaigns with tour operators. It will also engage professionals to actively contribute to promoting tourism and developing continuous training actions.
The Moroccan government has also set up an incentive mechanism to promote residential tourism as well as support mechanisms to enhance investments towards carrying out tourist projects and improving the quality of the tourist.
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