Political stability and quality of care

One of the keys to this success is the country's political stability and security enjoyed by tourists. Southern Morocco has, with Tozeur in Tunisia, the only corner of Sahara where Westerners can even venture without the risk of being abducted or killed by al-Qaeda terrorists in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Mauritania, Mali and Libya, once frequented by hikers, are no longer options for a good ten years ...

A Merzouga, this distant grove where there was a campground there twenty years, hotels have mushroomed. They are over thirty, arranged along the dunes and competing arguments to attract foreign in search of escape: wi-fi, traditional architecture, hammams, hand shaped pools Fatma, bivouacs to spend the night under the stars in the sands ...

The practice is to outperform customers by offering better rooms. Everything is done to make guests feel comfortable. "Relax, Max," repeatedly stated boys in restaurants ... The goal: make it back - including his own (39% of travelers organize their trip themselves, bypassing tour operators). The return rate is high, with 12% of foreign visitors have already made at least one trip to Morocco in the past.

Massive investments

Tourism is a pillar of the Moroccan economy (7.5% of GDP). The authorities do not skimp on the means to develop it. An investment fund was established in late 2011 with the Gulf countries to inject more than 2 billion euros in this sector. The public company Moroccan tourist engineering Corporation (Smit) plans to invest nearly $ 6 billion as part of the development plan "Vision 2020".

Morocco wants to increase its capacity of 200,000 beds, but also build large projects. A "City of Entertainment" is under construction in Agadir, a "Desert Resort" in Dakhla and a theme park "Culture of Morocco" in Marrakech.
Already, the value proposed by Morocco's institutions makes it competitive scenery. A lesson that could be meditated elsewhere in Africa, especially on the coasts of Senegal, where rates of any inn and harassment of tourists by barges cut many want to come back.

Morocco, second African tourist destination

The kingdom plans to host nearly 11 million tourists in 2014, 3 million more than in 2010, while Tunisia and Egypt slash prices without trace levels of attendance before their revolutions.
At Mohammed VI, the tourist is king. The quality of the welcome, the diversity of supply and the country's promotion efforts are paying even more than other destinations in North Africa are in crisis. Morocco plans to host 10.7 million tourists in 2014, generating revenues of 61 billion dirhams (€ 5.4 billion).

The Kingdom of Morocco has already overtaken Egypt in 2013. It is now close behind South Africa (9.6 million tourists in 2013) to the rank of first African destination. All without having to slash prices as in Tunisia and Egypt.

Tunisia has recorded 7.3 million foreign visitors in 2013 (against 6.9 million in 2010), but the numbers are misleading. Of the 2013 arrivals included 2.9 million Europeans, 1.6 million Tunisians living abroad and no less than 3.2 million North Africans - statistics that now take into account the influx of Libyan refugees ... Egypt, she saw tourist arrivals fall by 40% between 2010 and 2013, falling from 15 to 9 million people. The attacks in the Sinai and the riots in Cairo yet plunged 43% tourism revenues in the first quarter 2014, according to authorities.
Morocco attracts the French, Germans and British

France has deserted the shores of the Red Sea, but still the main source market for Morocco (35% of arrivals and 28% of overnight stays in 2013). A new phenomenon is observed on the roads of the Kingdom of Morocco, with French pensioners who travel across the country in motorhomes. They represent no less than 13% of arrivals according to the Observatory of Moroccan tourism (OTM).
Marrakech, Agadir, Fez and Rabat are also popular among the Italians, the Germans and the British, whose arrivals have experienced increases of 15%, 13% and 12% in 2013, against only 4% for French and according to the Spanish Ministry of Tourism. For its part, the domestic market accounts for 30% of overnight stays.

Saadian tombs

The splendid mausoleums where lie the members of the Saadian dynasty were built in the late 16th century. by Ahmed "the Golden". A century later, Moulay Ismail, not daring to shave, merely to lock them in a high wall where only a few insiders could penetrate through the mosque. In 1917, the existence of the tombs was accidentally rediscovered; an access corridor was then drilled in the thickness of the enclosure to allow non-Muslims to admire them.

A stimulating climate

In Ifrane, the air is so fresh that gives wings. Steps, excursions, fishing, hunting, skiing. In all seasons enjoy the natural resources of the National Park.

Another season

Ifrane, perched at 1650 meters, offers cool in summer and snow in winter. 19 km south of the city, Michlifen ski resort and slopes of Mount Hebri offer beautiful slopes descend from the first frost. A unique and cozy places to stay right on the slopes.

Over Water

One of the treasures of Ifrane is its lakes and rivers. At the heart of an unexpected Morocco, come fish for pike or trout in a completely preserved and unaltered. Regardless of the catch, enjoy the boundless wilderness, forget the stress and observe the oscillations of your cap. The fish will be waiting for you!

Hunting and game

Unique natural area, the Ifrane region is also that of hunting. Hares, wild boar, partridge, local wildlife flourishes freely in the beautiful forests that line the "Little Switzerland" of Morocco. At dawn, accompanied by experienced guides you can go on the trail of a bloated and incredibly varied game. An experimental station for the study of animal behavior resource monitors the game carefully and accurately.

Pastures and landscapes

Enjoy your stay in Ifrane to survey natural areas and discover the volcanic plateaus, mountain pastures and the splendid cedar forests, maples and poplars. Among other wonders, the Afennourir lake is about 400 hectares in the middle of a cedar forest. It is a favorite place for many rare species of birds.

Morocco Greatness Nature

Mountains, deserts, oases or beaches ... In Morocco, nature is everywhere. Moreover, reserves and natural parks are numerous.

Bird paradise

Of the thousands of miles of coastline on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, nature is generous. Discover for example the park at the mouth of the Souss and Massa wadis near Agadir, which form an ideal ecosystem to accommodate flamingos, cranes and bald ibises ... To the south of Sidi Ifni, the sublime white beach stretches its 50 km of pure beauty. Further south, Dakhla Bay hosts the last colony of monk seals in the world. Near the Mediterranean, the beautiful nature reserve of the Rif, at the mouth of the Moulaya is also a paradise for birds.

Nature in contrast to all

While approaching the Atlas Mountains, the landscape becomes greener, fresher atmosphere. You will be surprised to be able to ski in the winter, while in the same day, you can swim in Marrakech. Further south stands Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert, famous for its Kasbahs and ksour (fortified villages). To the east of the city, stretches the Dades valley which ends in the Dades Gorge Todra and those with their towering rock walls, after crossing the palm of Ouarzazate and the Valley of Roses. South of Ouarzazate is the Draa Valley, which winds up to M'hamid, the last town before the big desert. The great outdoors will seduce you. To find peace and quiet, this is the perfect place with its oasis arising like mirages in a landscape of rock and haunting mountains. Their lush green vegetation contrasts with the neighboring desert. The superb dunes of orange sand like those of erg Chebbi can reach 150 m high. Magic to camp and be one with nature.

Activities and Recreation: what to do in Morocco

You will find a large range of activities and leisure in Morocco.

You can get away with experience Moroccan culture and heritage in Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Casablanca Tiznit among others, or enjoy the various activities.

Enjoy 3 000km of coastline of the country, if swimming is not the highlight of Morocco (except in Agadir) surfers and windsurfers (particularly in Essaouira) will be thrilled.

In the interior, trekking lovers find their happiness. So you can leave in the desert by camel or 4x4, in the mountains (Rif, Toubkal High Atlas ...) on foot.

You can also enjoy rafting in particular in the High Atlas. In winter, discover skiing in Morocco including the Oukaïmedem station.

Golf enthusiasts will find over 15 quality golf courses as Rabat among others.

Casablanca

In a century and a half, Casablanca grew from the small village of a few thousand people in a city that has nearly four million, and became a major industrial center and open trader at Western lifestyle than other cities Morocco. The name itself evokes love Casablanca. Stroll through the medina and the Old Town, where a fleet of nostalgia, in the footsteps of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Do not miss the visit of the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque minaret and the smallest of Morocco and one of the few open to non-Muslims throughout the Arab world. "Casa" is also a host of piano bars, restaurants, trendy nightclubs where you can party in a delirious atmosphere!