Nearly 120 Russian travel agents are currently prospecting in Morocco, as part of a major promotional operation intended to attract more tourists from this huge, highly coveted market.
This Eductour in Agadir, Essaouira and Marrakech, is organized by the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) in partnership with the tour operator Coral Travel, which is one of the top 5 tourist companies in Russia. “This joint operation with the Coral Travel network is part of the plan to promote the Morocco destination in winter. On the Russian market, Morocco is best known for being a summer destination,” the ONMT delegate in Moscow, Samir Soussi, told MAP.
This Eductour in Agadir, Essaouira and Marrakech, is organized by the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) in partnership with the tour operator Coral Travel, which is one of the top 5 tourist companies in Russia. “This joint operation with the Coral Travel network is part of the plan to promote the Morocco destination in winter. On the Russian market, Morocco is best known for being a summer destination,” the ONMT delegate in Moscow, Samir Soussi, told MAP.
For Soussi, this type of operation will further boost demand in winter because the potential exists. “We must increase efforts by organizing more Eductours, press tours and workshops. Russians must know the destination and for that we must communicate more,” insisted the head of the ONMT. Asked about competing destinations such as Turkey or Egypt, Soussi highlighted the particularity of the Morocco product, its climate, its stability as well as its diversity with, in addition to the seaside, excursions, the spa, the golf, the desert, the mountains.
The ONMT is in the process of placing more emphasis on niche products, he said, highlighting the very recent organization of a series of promotional operations including a familiarization trip for the spa, and another for the benefit of golfers who were able to enjoy three quality courses in Agadir. In Russia, playing golf only lasts six to seven months due to the harsh climate in winter, which makes it possible to target a clientele keen on this sport. “There are certainly competing destinations like Spain and Turkey but Morocco remains an option,” said Soussi.
Regarding the question of security, he affirmed that the Russians do not raise the question of security about Morocco, thanks to its reputation in the media, as well as the institutional communication campaign engaged in the web, radio in addition to posters in large cities like Moscow and St-Petersburg.
According to ONMT figures, the volume of arrivals from Russia increased by 130% nationally and around 60% in Agadir. The seaside sector takes up nearly 85% but an increasingly sustained effort is underway to promote the triangle of Agadir, Marrakech and Essaouira, as well as the imperial cities and the south of Morocco.
« It’s a start but the communication effort must be sustained », adds the ONMT delegate who at the same time nourishes the hope of a strengthening of the air component with more direct flights from next year. Today, only one weekly flight in winter connects Moscow directly to Agadir. It started on October 13 and is in addition to the three regular flights via Casablanca.
