The pearl of the north was, on Wednesday 15 May, the third stage of the Caravan of regional tourism forums. Chaired by Lahcen Haddad, Minister of Tourism, the proceedings of this third forum were distinguished by the signing of the new regional contract-programme (CPR) for the tourism development of the Tangier-Tetouan region.

According to Mr. Haddad, this new CPR is implemented within the framework of Vision 2020 and following two years of consultation between public and private partners. "We thus want to give a great boost to this region which is full of tourist assets," he affirms.

The promotion of the tourist destination Tangier-Tetouan, known as Cap-Nord, will rely on the launch of 127 projects, including 25 structuring projects. With a total investment of 14.4 billion DH, the implementation of all these projects will be part of the six programmes of Vision 2020, notably "Animations, sports and leisure", "Azur 2020", "Biladi", "Sustainable eco-development", "High value-added niches" and "Heritage and legacy". The region aims in this way to provide itself with 26,247 beds to welcome 3.1 million tourists by 2020.

In order to achieve the objectives in terms of tourist arrivals in Cap-Nord, air service must reach 212 weekly frequencies for the region. To accompany the preferences of the new segments of tourists targeted in this territory, 63% of this service must be operated by low-cost companies, 18% by national companies and 19% by charter companies.

Let us underline that among the structuring projects, there is the development of luxury hotels on the Mediterranean coast Tamuda Bay (1,200 beds), a tourist resort in Al Houara (2,786 beds), the new tourist station Lixus, near Larache, allowing to offer, in addition to numerous leisure and well-being facilities, a high-end accommodation capacity of 7,926 beds.

It also involves the conversion of the Tangier city port and the development of a port zone integrating several hubs and facilities including the mega-marina of 3,000 berths, a fast-ferry passenger terminal, a museum and other cultural spaces. The completion of this project will allow the creation of two 5 and 4-star hotels and three tourist residences, with a total bed capacity of 1,600 new beds.

The enhancement of natural and rural heritage, the rehabilitation of historical monuments of the region, the valorisation of the city of Lixus as well as the enhancement of natural and rural heritage also figure among these 25 structuring projects. "102 complementary projects will be added to the 25 structuring projects and will be developed within the framework of the "Animations, sports and leisure", "Azur 2020", "Sustainable eco-development", and "Heritage and legacy" programmes, according to the officials of this regional framework programme.