Rabat, the capital that has long been accused of being an administrative city, will soon get a makeover with the launch of the ambitious development plan whose kick-off was given recently by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The ambition is to make the capital of the Kingdom a tourist city par excellence. It must be recognised that the city already possesses all the potential necessary for its propulsion to the rank of very well-ranked cities in this field.

Indeed, the capital has become an unmissable cultural destination. Its theatre, its cultural institutes, its exhibition galleries, its museums, and its Villa des Arts make it one of the great cultural centres of the Mediterranean basin. Considered a cultural cradle for many writers and artists, Rabat has preserved rich historical and cultural heritages, witnesses to the civilisations and dynasties that have succeeded one another there. Cultural places are not lacking in the city. Major cultural projects have seen the light of day, notably the Higher Institute of Music and Dance and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Furthermore, the cultural dynamic in the city also owes a lot to the mythical Mohammed V National Theatre which presents numerous dramatic art, opera, dance, and music shows. The capital can also boast of having numerous exhibition halls, notably the Bab Rouah and Oudayas halls which house the works of illustrious artists.

Added to these galleries are numerous spaces reserved for exhibitions and music, as well as foreign cultural institutes. So many structures that will be reinforced by others, notably the new theatre and museum that will soon be built on the Bouregreg and which will require, according to the Minister of Tourism Lahcen Haddad, a budget of more than 1.6 billion dirhams. "What you need to know is that the city has developed over the years cultural and recreational spaces that have made it an unmissable destination for lovers of culture and entertainment. Today, the challenge we are called upon to meet consists of developing the hotel and entertainment offer through the creation of new hotels as well as new catering entities. And this is effectively what is being realised through the development of two hotels: the first 5-star and the second 4-star at the level of the Bouregreg, which will largely contribute to enriching the city's tourist capacity through the addition of 500 beds," stresses the government official to "Le Matin." Indeed, to feed this dynamic, according to the same official, other projects will be added to reinforce Rabat's vocation as a tourist city. This involves the continuation of the development of the corniche as well as the development of a second marina on the Bouregreg. So many projects that will make Rabat a space for leisure and entertainment, like its vocation as an administrative and student city. Rehabilitation of the old Medina. A large-scale project will soon be launched. This is the rehabilitation of the old Medina of Rabat. The project will concern the preservation of the authentic aspect of the architecture of this ancestral place, so that it preserves its historical character, while restoring the dwellings threatening ruin. Let us recall that the city of Salé recently saw the launch of a similar programme under the guidance of His Majesty the King. An envelope of more than 1 billion dirhams has been devoted to this mega-project.