Jasmine J. Mak
Submitted by Jasmine J. Mak, MoroccoTomorrow Member
With Morocco on the horizon of a new political regime, the attention of potentially transforming from a kingdom to a fully democratic society may bring about greater opportunity for Morocco’s economy.
Presently being one of the most politically stable Arab nations, Morocco is bound to gain a higher media focus during this transitional time, as much of the recent spotlight has been placed on radical changes in the Arab world.
As Morocco continues to promote and exude peace and progress, this forward motion presents an opportunity to increase and simultaneously develop a more widespread tourism industry, which could greater benefit the nation’s economy. Various strategies have been implemented in the past to increase tourism and internationalize Morocco.
In 1999, King Mohammed VI implemented Vision 2010, hoping to reach 10 million visitors by the year 2010, which would have made tourism 20% of the country’s GDP. Not too far off, tourism receipts reached over 7 million in 2007 (US $).
One of King Mohammed VI’s larger initiatives, Plan Azur, was a project focused on building five new resorts by the Atlantic coast and one on the Mediterranean, as well as upgrading airports and building new roads. This large-scale production hoped to invite more tourists and holiday property owners. Only a few months after completion in 2008, Morocco already saw an 11% tourism increase.
However, as of 2010, tourism receipts dropped down to a little over 6,800 million, and Vision 2010 was never quite fulfilled.
With Morocco’s recent, yet slight, decline in tourism, the upcoming wave of media attention during and after political reform could raise tourism receipts by expanding the typical visitors.
In the past, majority of Morocco’s tourists consisted of Europeans and fellow Moroccans living abroad. With an increase in political awareness in the West, perhaps Moroccan tourism amongst Americans will also gain favor as one of the most desirable Arab countries to visit.
With the help of recent exposure of Morocco in various popular culture media outlets, such as the location shoot for the last box-office hit Sex and the City or the mention of the country in international pop star Jennifer Lopez’s last hit, heard repeatedly by millions around the globe, Americans have been gaining a perception of Morocco as a culturally enriching place ideal for vacationing.
It is only a matter of time before Americans note the political pros of this small country in news media, linking that with the exotic reputation coined by popular culture.
Whether it is the beauty of Moroccan coasts, to the desire to ride a camel across sand dunes, there are many reasons why this progressive nation is one worth visiting.
