Within the framework of a multi-stakeholder partnership: Some 40 million DH for an underwater city off the coast of M'Diq

This convention concerns the financing, construction, and management of the future underwater city intended for recreational diving and underwater activities. Innovative tourism product: This project provides for the creation of the first diving and underwater activities space in the Kingdom aimed at enhancing the maritime potential of the area and strengthening its attractiveness, the establishment of a platform dedicated to underwater sports and hosting sporting events, as well as contributing to the protection of the maritime environment and the development of ecotourism. To create and develop an innovative tourism product of a sporting, cultural, and environmental dimension. This is the main objective of the creation of an underwater city off the coast of M'Diq. With a total budget of 40 million dirhams, it is the result of a partnership convention, the provisions of which have just been approved during the last ordinary session of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council (CR-TTA), for the month of October 2026. This convention concerns the financing, construction, and management of the future underwater city intended for recreational diving and underwater activities, in accordance, according to the text of this partnership, with the High Royal Orientations, particularly those mentioned in the speech addressed on March 23, 2013, by HM the King to the participants in the National Tourism Conference, where the Sovereign reaffirmed the need to promote the tourism sector as an essential pillar to win the "great battle" for economic and social development. This convention linking the Ministry of the Interior to the Wilaya of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, the Regional Council, the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, the Prefecture of M'Diq-Fnideq, the Regional Directorate of Equipment, the Regional Investment Centre (CRI), the National Ports Agency (through its regional directorate), the Regional Directorate of the Environment, the Commune of M'Diq, the National Institute for Fisheries Research, the Provincial Delegation of Tourism, the Royal Moroccan Federation of Diving and Underwater Activities (FRMPAS), and the Foundation for Research, Development and Innovation in Science and Engineering (FRDISI) will allow "the creation of the first diving and underwater activities space in the Kingdom," the same source said. Note that in addition to the space intended for recreational diving and underwater activities, this project provides, among other things, for a land-based reception and management centre (administrative offices, a presentation and awareness room, warehouses, diving equipment, etc.), a space for innovation and leadership in the blue economy, a training and supervision centre, permanent mechanisms for environmental protection and sustainability, and a scientific research centre. It will thus allow for the enhancement of the maritime potential of the area and the strengthening of its tourist attractiveness, the provision of a platform dedicated to underwater sports and the hosting of national and international sporting events, as well as support for the local economy and contribution to the protection of the maritime environment and the development of ecotourism. Regarding the total cost of the project, the Regional Council and the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports are each contributing 20 million dirhams, spread over two years (2027-2028). Receive the latest news from Aujourd’hui Le Maroc directly on WhatsApp