Oujda – The Regional Tourism Council (CRT) of the Oriental region organised, on Friday and Saturday, a tour of cities and sites in the region to promote and enhance its tourist attractiveness.
Participants in this promotional action, including journalists, influencers, and Moroccan and foreign travel agents, had the opportunity to discover the great multi-product tourism potential of the region and a unique diversity of landscapes.
This tour was also an opportunity to highlight the efforts made by regional actors and national institutions to accelerate the socio-economic development of the Oriental region, which now has all the ingredients to establish itself as a prime tourist destination.
The roadshow organised by the CRT with the support of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) took participants to the seaside resort of Saïdia, which houses one of the largest marinas in the entire Mediterranean, to the golf courses in Saïdia, to the Ras El Ma (Cap de l’Eau) station, and to the Marchica lagoon in Nador, which is of economic, biological, ecological, and tourist interest.
Participants were also invited to discover the natural landscapes and mountains of the Beni Snassen, as well as the old Medina of Oujda and its rich architectural heritage, with several sites of great cultural and historical significance, all of which are potentials that position the Oriental region as one of the most attractive regions during the summer period, while efforts continue to promote sustainable and lasting tourism.
The Oriental region has experienced a significant leap in terms of structuring the tourism sector, said the president of the CRT, Youssef Zaki, on this occasion, noting in this sense that the Royal Initiative for the development of the Oriental, launched in 2023, has drawn a clear roadmap for the economic and tourist development of this region.
He added that the inauguration of the Saïdia seaside resort by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in 2009 is an event that marked the true starting point of the development dynamic in the Oriental region, which, he said, is not only a strategic zone due to its geographical location, but also a land rich in diverse tourist assets.
A leading seaside destination, this region, strong in infrastructure and transport means, combines cultural, historical, and religious heritage with a magnificent nature that offers extensive beaches with a coastline of more than 170 km, peaceful deserts, and captivating mountains.
It is also known for its agricultural sector and its famous products (clementines, loquats...), golf courses, and the Football Academy, thus offering the region a major competitive advantage in the tourism sector.
According to Mr. Zaki, the Oriental region has 147 hotels offering an accommodation capacity of more than 13,500 beds, allowing it to welcome a varied clientele and meet the expectations of each segment of visitors.
For his part, Mounir Kodiji, a member of the CRT and director of a travel agency, indicated that in the first half of last year, the region recorded 252,608 overnight stays, an increase of 1.36% compared to the same period in 2023, noting that the month of June was particularly dynamic, with 97,147 overnight stays, representing an increase of 3.8%.
Noting that these figures testify to the growing attractiveness of the region, he stated that for the year 2025, the region aims for a 10% increase in the number of visitors, focusing on the development of new tourism offers and the improvement of infrastructure.
Structural projects are underway, notably the enhancement and upgrading of beaches, as well as the operationalisation of the "Oriental Express" desert train, which will offer unique experiences to visitors, he continued.
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