As part of COP22 in Marrakech, the Ministry of Tourism reaffirms Morocco’s sustainable tourism strategy through several side-events with its international and African partners
Morocco, which has chosen to place sustainable and responsible tourism at the heart of its “Vision 2020” tourism strategy, is taking advantage of numerous innovative initiatives to make the Kingdom a benchmark destination in terms of sustainable tourism.
As part of COP22, the Ministry of Tourism is organizing three side-events aimed at different targets, around actions carried out to promote sustainable tourism, creating wealth and promoting natural and cultural heritage.
1. The Ministerial Forum on Tourism and Climate issues in Africa
Thursday November 10, 2016, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Blue Zone, COP22 Village
This Forum will bring together around fifteen African tourism ministers, with the aim of reaffirming the importance of sustainable tourism within climate discussions at the COP level. Sustainable tourism, a real lever for development, is also one of the solutions to combat climate change on the African continent. A formal and official commitment from the stakeholders of this Forum, in favor of sustainable tourism, will be made in the form of a Joint Declaration and the signing of the African Charter for Sustainable Tourism which is intended to be a reference framework for the development of tourism in Africa, ensuring its inclusion in a sustainable dynamic and reconciling economic and social progress, preservation of the environment and respect for local specificities and cultural diversity.
2. The Sustainable Tourism Solutions Conference
Thursday November 10, 2016, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Solutions Space, SEBOU Room, Green Zone, COP22 Village
The Sustainable Tourism Solutions Conference will promote specific sustainable tourism initiatives for the climate, undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism and its partners during COP22. This conference will highlight pilot projects and innovative initiatives, deployed throughout the tourism value chain, and which can be duplicated on a larger scale.
Initiative of a category of the Morocco Sustainable Tourism Trophies dedicated to Climate
Now established as an unmissable annual event, the Morocco Sustainable Tourism Trophies highlight and reward initiatives and ideas committed to respecting the different potential of Moroccan regions. The competition is open to projects related to the following themes: environment and biodiversity, culture and intangible heritage, equity and social responsibility, sustainable territory and sustainable events. This year, and exclusively for COP22, a new “Tourism and Climate” category has been introduced.
Environmental labeling system initiative for accommodation establishments
In partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and with the support of the International Climate Initiative funded by the German government, the Ministry of Tourism is launching the environmental labeling project for tourist establishments. Initially adopted in Nantes then deployed in Ile-de-France during COP21, this initiative will be both a tool for monitoring the environmental performance of hoteliers but also a consumer information tool.
“Good for the Climate” Initiative: Morocco, second country in the world to introduce the low carbon base
After France, it is up to Morocco to join the “Good for the Climate” initiative. This concept was introduced by the Ministry of Tourism and the High Commission for Water and Forests and the Fight Against Desertification, with the support of the Sustainable Tourism Project of the German international cooperation agency (GIZ) and in partnership with the French association “Bon pour le Climat”. It aims to mobilize chefs and establishments in the hospitality sector to produce responsible cuisine, respecting three criteria: the season, the local and the plant-based.
3. The International Symposium under the theme “Developing sustainable tourism in a context of climate change”, organized by the 10 YFP
From November 10 to 12, 2016
Palmeraie Golf Palace, Marrakech
The Symposium of the Sustainable Tourism Program of the Ten-Year Framework of Programs on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns will be a space for the exchange of experiences and the establishment of links between its members.
Open to the public, this symposium will offer a series of workshops around the major issues linked to sustainable development in tourism. It will also be a privileged place to study and validate key environmental indicators for the tourism sector for monitoring the achievement of the 2030 Agenda relating to climate and sustainable development aspects.
Source: http://www.tourisme.gov.ma/fr/actualites/les-actions-du-ministere-du-tourisme-la-cop-22
