The Ouarzazate destination was a hit in 2014. "The city experienced significant attendance with an increase in arrivals of nearly 10% and an average occupancy rate of 50% throughout the city," declared Rahou Belghazi, president of the Hotel Industry Association of the Ouarzazate province, to ALM.

Many shoots in 2014

Indeed, the Moroccan Hollywood was the scene of numerous national and international film shoots this year. As a result, film production in Ouarzazate has recorded a clear recovery, which has positively influenced the local economy and particularly the tourism sector. "The efforts of both local operators and the concerned authorities have made it possible to enhance the city's reputation in the field of film production at a global level," estimated Mr Belghazi.

The Japanese: Tourists to build loyalty with...

Furthermore, apart from cinema, it should be noted that thanks to its climatic assets and unique landscapes, the city is increasingly considered an important stopover in Japanese tourist circuits. "We regularly receive groups of Asian tourists, and particularly the Japanese, who generally flock during the periods from January to May. They arrive as part of tourist circuits to spend more or less long stays in the city. They are generally retired people with high purchasing power. This is an important segment that Ouarzazate must continue to cultivate through adapted offers and operations to attract and promote the destination," explained Mr Belghazi.

However, it is the French tourists who remain the most loyal to the destination. "Although slightly jostled by the arrivals of Anglo-Saxon tourists who came for various shoots in Ouarzazate in 2014, French tourists still account for nearly 50% of tourist arrivals in the city. It must be said that we are classified as a green zone by tour operators in France, given the security and the climate of peace and stability that reigns here," specified Mr Belghazi.

Optimism for 2015

Overall, Ouarzazate stands as a true haven of peace with a warm climate and extraordinary landscapes. "For the year 2015, which is just starting, we are of course optimistic. We will continue to work and establish Ouarzazate as an exceptional tourist destination. And since hard work always yields results, we hope to achieve the same accomplishments in 2015 as last year, or even better," declared the president of the Hotel Industry Association of the Ouarzazate province.

It must be said that the city is already well prepared thanks to its large bed capacity and its beautiful sunshine.

In this regard, Mr Belghazi specifies that the city has "a capacity of 1,500 rooms, and what attracts foreign directors and producers is of course the sun, the city's natural lighting, and the contrast it offers".

An unmissable address

In this vein, the existence in Ouarzazate of the Berbère Palace, the main hotel establishment in south-eastern Morocco, constitutes a determining factor for the stay and catering of film crews (actors, producers, assistants, and technicians) and tourists in search of professional hospitality and all amenities close at hand. "The Berbère Palace Ouarzazate is the most important hotel in the region. At the gates of the desert, it is in the Berber style and is inspired by the local architecture of the Kasbahs to combine architectural tradition and modern luxury," emphasised Mr Belghazi.

It should be noted that the Berbère Palace Ouarzazate is an unmissable place for the biggest international stars who stay there during film shoots in the region.

Thus, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Monica Bellucci, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford, Nicole Kidman, Orlando Bloom, Leonardo DiCaprio, and many other stars have stayed there and appreciated its quality of service.