The Béni Mellal-Khénifra Region will, finally, have its Tourism Fair. And not just any living room. This is the first Atlas International Tourism Fair (Sita-Expo). This first edition will be organized in the town of Béni Méllal, capital of the region, under the theme: “Promotion of rural and nature tourism from a sustainable development perspective”.
It will take place from March 5 to 11, 2018. “Sita-Expo 2018 aims to promote the Béni Mellal-Khénifra destination as a standard bearer of rural and nature tourism which stands out in the national tourist landscape with a rich and diverse natural product,” the organizers of the event indicate in a press release. They offer a varied promotional program with several components.
Starting with educational tours dedicated to exhibitors, guests of honor and media representatives to allow them to discover all the tourist potential of the region. A business meeting is also on the program. Exhibitors and professionals will be able to optimize their participation in the Show through business meetings planned in advance via an interactive platform.
An African Tourism Day will be organized as part of the objectives of the Show. Representatives from African countries will have the opportunity to debate the theme of tourism as a priority sector in sustainable development. An opportunity also to further strengthen Morocco’s relations with African countries in the field of tourism.
Several other activities will be planned throughout Sita-Expo 2018: local events, workshops, B to B meetings, competitions, evenings, trophy presentations, recording of TV shows… The event will be marked by the presence of foreign exhibitors and national and international visitors.
On the financing side, already “certain territorial entities have expressed their interest in the event, in particular provincial councils, also we have received several proposals for partnerships with players involved in tourism”, indicates Asmaâ Belaouinate, initiator of the project.
Today, the Béni Mellal-Khénifra Region has three large distinct geographical areas: the Tadla plain, the foothills (also called Dir) and the mountain between the High Atlas and the Middle Atlas. A historic crossroads of roads serving the main imperial cities of the Kingdom (Marrakech, Meknes and Fez), the region is much more than a crossing point and promises to become a true vacation destination.
Its geographical position allows it, in fact, to make a first-rate contribution to the tourism sector, especially since it benefits from recognized natural assets and potential. Cedar groves, lakes, hunting heritage… offer the region the possibility of seeing sustainable and integrated tourism development.
In order to promote its natural and cultural potential and assets, the region has embarked on a vast basic infrastructure development project and the implementation of flagship projects to boost regional tourism. This, within the framework of State policies and strategies for the development of the tourism sector. Through, in particular, the program contract for the implementation of Vision 2020 for the development of the tourism sector and the integrated development program for rural and nature tourism.
Moreover, the regional program contract aims to make Béni Mellal-Khénifra a tourist destination in its own right. In this perspective, no less than 58 projects were selected for a total budget of 1.1 billion DH. Program contract which integrates land use planning and sustainable development and directs efforts, in particular, around the creation of a complementary nature offer.
Despite the relatively large number of beds available in the region (5,456), the reception capacity remains low, and constitutes only 2.51% of the national bed capacity. The tourism sector records a significant flow of investments, with an average of 13 projects and 237 million dirhams of tourism investments validated each year. These investments particularly concern hotels (3 and 4*) and guest houses.
source: leconomiste.
