Agadir / Tourism: Bad scores. The destination is unable to take off again despite the efforts made by the profession
The tourism and hotel sector in Agadir continues to suffer a decline in the main traditional markets, whose arrivals continue to decline. Even the Saudi Arabian market is following the same trend. Despite its enormous potential, Agadir no longer inspires… Tourist arrivals last June recorded a double-digit decline of 31.87%.
The tourism and hotel sector in Agadir continues to suffer from the decline in the main traditional markets, whose arrivals continue to decline. Even the Saudi Arabian market is following the same trend. Despite its enormous potential, Agadir no longer inspires… Tourist arrivals last June recorded a double-digit decline of 31.87%.
It’s always the same speech. Yes, Agadir and its region are full of enormous and diversified potential, but they remain unoptimized and underexploited. And today, the country’s leading seaside destination is in lethargic mode. The crisis is felt more and more and it is more than urgent to find an alternative to change the situation.
In figures, the decline is confirmed month after month, according to the statistics provided monthly by the Souss-Massa Regional Tourism Council (CRT). Last June, tourist arrivals recorded a drop of 31.87%. In fact, there were 55,773 in June 2015 compared to only 37,996 during the same period in 2016 in the city’s classified establishments.
Bad score also for overnight stays which fell by 19.29%. From 279,468, they increased to 252,565 nights last June. While waiting for the clarity so desired by operators, the traditional source markets continue to decline in a striking manner. Case of the French market whose arrivals mark a variation of -51.30% because the number of tourists of 10,407 received in June 2015, increased to 5,068 during the same period in 2016.
The German and English markets are not better positioned in the destination with a variation in arrivals of -20.45 and -19.94 respectively. Even the Saudi Arabian market is no longer seduced by the Agadir destination, the decline in arrivals and overnight stays being 85.34% and 84.82% in June 2016 compared to the same period of the past year. Although it is true that the national market remains at the top of arrivals, it is nevertheless in constant decline.
The capital of Souss only received 8,920 tourists at the end of last June compared to 15,553 during the same period a year previously, a drop of 42.65%. However, the picture is less gloomy on the Russian side since this market is up 293.76% with 4,792 tourists received compared to 1,217 at the same period last year. The increase is also felt in terms of overnight stays with 40,154 respectively compared to 10,021 in June 2015. It is downright rush following the sustained efforts of the profession to conquer the Russians.
On the other hand, regarding the accumulation of the first six months of the year, we see a variation of -8.76% for arrivals and -8.85% for overnight stays. The involvement of everyone, professionals, elected officials, authorities, civil society, etc., is necessary to overcome this crisis.
Better governance
A realistic action plan and better financial and administrative governance. These are the ingredients on which the CRT is counting to revive tourist activity in Agadir and reconquer lost markets. Today, hope is placed on the new CRT office which includes professionals who have already proven themselves, Guy Mrach, Chafik Mahfoud Filali, Fouad Hajoui… and many other members, concerned about the future of the region.
During the Extraordinary General Assembly of the CRT held recently in the wilaya of the Souss-Massa region, the revision of the statutes was approved and approved. Among other things, the Urban Commune and the Regional Council will no longer be part of the office. In order to avoid conflicts of interest generated by the partnership and financing contracts linking these three structures, as stipulated in articles 68 and 65 of the organic laws of regions and municipalities.
“We are happy to have adopted our statutes and to be able to work within a legal framework,” declared Chafik Mahfoud Filali, deputy president and spokesperson of the CRT. It should nevertheless be noted that despite the unanimous approval, the atmosphere during the EGM was quite tense. The question of representativeness of certain administrations and associations having been raised. Particularly the case of the Rural Tourism Development Network (RDTR) which requested greater representation. However, for professionals, the RDTR chairs the “Marketing & Documentation Commission”. In addition to the representation of the hinterland via the CPTs of Taroudant, Tiznit and Chtouka Ait-Baha. Which, for them, is already enough.
Source: The Economist by Fatiha NAKHLI
