A delegation of representatives from foreign travel agencies visited the Guelmim-Smara region last weekend to learn about the oasis tourism potential offered by the region and to explore the natural and accommodation potential of this tourist destination.

This three-day visit is part of the Southern Oasis Programme (POS), initiated by the Agency for the Promotion and Development of the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and local authorities. It aims to present oasis tourism products, raise awareness among European sustainable and solidarity tourism networks, and strengthen cooperation ties with interested stakeholders.

This delegation, composed of representatives from about ten foreign travel agencies, visited several tourist sites including the Amhrich camel market, the Guelmim handicraft complex, a museum and associations in Taghmert, the White Beach, the Lebyar community cactus reserve, and the Noul Lamta archaeological site in Assrir. The delegation also visited several classified hotel establishments and tasted local culinary dishes.

On this occasion, a workshop between the members of this delegation and local stakeholders was held to examine ways and means that could contribute to the promotion of oasis tourism, as well as the establishment of partnerships between these travel agencies and local tourism stakeholders.

During this trip, the members of this delegation noted the considerable tourism potential of the southern oases: magnificent landscapes and panoramas of the oases, Ksour, traditional rural life, specific local products (dates, henna, and sheep farming), local gastronomy, and the quality of hospitality.

According to local officials, oasis tourism does not only aim for complementarity with other tourism products, such as seaside or imperial city tourism, but also aims to contribute to the mitigation of regional disparities in peripheral Saharan and pre-Saharan zones. According to them, this sector can contribute strongly to the implementation of oasis conservation projects and sustainable development projects for local populations. The Saharan space, with its numerous oases offering shade and shelter, constitutes an original and typical product that is highly prized and part of ecological tourism, which has nowadays become a fashionable product dictated by the need for adventure and the discovery of nature expressed by international tourism.