This is good news for the development of tourism in the Southern provinces. On the occasion of the tour that recently led them to the Gulf countries, the Minister of Tourism, Lahcen Haddad, and the Chairman of the Board of the Moroccan Society for Tourism Engineering, Imad Barrakad, signed a memorandum of understanding in Abu Dhabi for the development of a desert resort in Dakhla, with the Emirati group Al Shafi Investment group. According to a press release made public by the Ministry of Tourism, this project, which includes accommodation and entertainment infrastructure, will mobilise an investment of 1 billion dirhams and will position itself as an Eco-Resort, oriented towards desert tourism. It will allow visitors to enjoy a luxurious and environmentally friendly setting, with "entertainment", "accommodation" and "catering" components appropriate to the desert theme.

Entering within the framework of Vision 2020, this project provides for the development of new sustainable and ecological infrastructure, in order to boost a regional dynamic in the Southern provinces and serve as an economic lever for local development. It should be remembered that the signing of this partnership took place on the sidelines of high-level working meetings for the promotion of tourism investment in Morocco, held by the Moroccan delegation in the United Arab Emirates. It should be noted that the Emirati group Al Shafi based in Abu Dhabi, which is listed on the Stock Exchange, is considered a leader in local brokerage of the Abu Dhabi and Dubai real estate securities market. The Group manages more than 250 million dollars in assets and private investments, including a significant land reserve and a real estate portfolio.