On the sidelines of the third Regional Tourism Forum which recently took place at the ISITT, Lahcen Haddad, Minister of Tourism, presided over the signing of the third Regional Programme Contract (CPR) for the Tangier-Tetouan region. This contract constitutes the implementation of the national programme contract of the 2020 strategy as a regional roadmap for the "Cap Nord" territory. Lahcen Haddad recalled that the tourism potential of "Cap Nord" was structured around the following four sites:
Firstly, there is the city of Tangier, which is the meeting point between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and between Africa and Europe, with a rich and original natural and cultural heritage (Medina, Caves of Hercules and the beaches of Cap Spartel and Cap Malabata.)
Next, Tetouan, which constitutes the "Mediterranean City". It is the most Andalusian city in the country with its old Medina classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site and the natural sites of the hinterland which offer a unique site for hiking or hunting enthusiasts. Then comes Chefchaouen, the "Jewel of the Rif". The city has a rich variety of tourist resources both for culture lovers (the Ras el Maa spring, the old Medina and the Kasbah) and for nature and sports enthusiasts (the Talassemtane forest, the God's Bridge, the Akchour waterfalls, etc.). And finally, Assilah/Larache with the beaches of Lixus and Assilah which present ideal sites for those who love relaxation or water sports.
The ambition of the region, added the Minister, is to attract 3.1 million tourists by 2020 and to acquire an additional capacity of 26,247 beds. The region will capitalise, within the framework of this CPR, on the diversity of its tourist and natural resources to develop a tourist offer structured around the axes: Culture and Nature, MICE and Seaside. In order to achieve these objectives, several action plans have been drawn up, including the "Development of the tourist product" which allows the region to materialise its positioning and achieve its growth objectives. 127 projects, including 25 structuring and 102 other complementary ones, will constitute this plan. They will make it possible to enrich and densify the fabric of the regional tourist offer. These projects will mobilise a total investment of 14.4 billion DH, 90% of which (i.e. 12.978 billion DH) will be borne by the private sector. The Tangier-Tetouan region will also benefit from a promotion and marketing programme within the framework of the Territorial Marketing Plan for the "Cap Nord" territory.
Thus, by 2020, nearly 80% of tourists in the "Cap Nord" territory would come from four target markets: France, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. The remaining 20% will represent markets to be developed and new growth relays. In order to meet this challenge, the Action Plan provides for establishing the notoriety of the territory and maintaining coherence between its cultural positioning and the emergence of seaside-oriented products.
All destinations will be promoted through the territorial brand. Then, it will be a question of adapting the territory's offer in order to attract new segments (seniors, City Break offer.) To this end, an action plan has been put in place for each of the key markets: France, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands.
Air service should reach 212 weekly frequencies in this territory. Also, and in order to ensure an adequacy between the additional accommodation capacities planned for this region and the needs for qualified human resources, the "Human Capital" axis provides, among other things, for the creation of a centre of excellence within the "Cap Nord" territory ensuring the training of technicians specialised in tourism professions. An "Investment Support" axis is also planned to attract investments to the region, which will benefit from promotion and placement actions with national and foreign investors.
Furthermore, and in order to favour the emergence of a fabric of dynamic and modern tourist SMEs/VSBs, capable of meeting the challenges facing the region, the "Competitiveness of the fabric of actors" axis provides for tourist companies in the region to benefit from the support mechanisms put in place within the framework of Vision 2020.
Numerous measures will be implemented in favour of the promotion of sustainable tourism, given the richness of the region's natural potential.
A new governance scheme is planned, which will be focused on the creation of the Tourism Development Agency (ADT) at the level of the "Cap Nord" territory, which will have as its main mission the steering and coordination of the implementation of the action plans.
Various accommodation programmes in the pipeline
The conversion of the Tangier-ville port and the development of a port zone integrating several major hubs and facilities, including a mega-marina with 3,000 berths, a fast-ferry passenger terminal, cultural, commercial and other spaces dedicated to entertainment, in addition to a residential hub. A hotel accommodation capacity of 1,600 beds (4 to 5-star hotels and tourist residences for an investment estimated at
6.140 billion DH and which will extend until 2016.
The Azur 2020 programme plans to complete the existing seaside offer by creating 3 projects providing luxury hotels on the Mediterranean coast, the Lixus tourist resort and the Houara resort.
The Biladi programme translates into two projects, including a Biladi station in Tetouan over the 2015-2017 period: a diversified accommodation offer of 1,700 beds for a total investment estimated at 850 million DH, financed by the private sector, and a Biladi club in the vicinity of the city: highly diversified accommodation (chalets, bungalows, mobile homes) and entertainment. The Club's accommodation capacity will amount to 2,400 beds and will mobilise a total investment estimated at 300 million DH during the period from 2013 to 2015.
