After several weeks spent in confinement, what could be more beautiful than going on a trip, immersing yourself again in nature, reconnecting with the charm of the Moroccan coasts and diving back into the splendor and richness of our architectural and cultural heritage.
Indeed, with Morocco’s decision to resume, from next Thursday, the activity of tourist accommodation and domestic flights in the Kingdom, and on the eve of the transition to the 2nd phase of the easing of confinement, tourism, a key sector of the national economy and a major provider of jobs, would not seem to miss this summer season, and will therefore be able to regain some color.
It is time for this strategic sector to recover from the Covid-19 health crisis, which cost it a drop of 54% in arrivals and 51% in the number of nights spent in classified accommodation establishments at the end of May 2020, in addition to a loss estimated at nearly 8.3 billion dirhams in terms of revenue during the three months from March to May 2020, according to the latest figures from the Department of Studies and Financial Forecasts. (Ministry of the Economy).
To do this, Morocco is focusing, first of all, on internal tourism by devoting a concerted, dynamic and innovative recovery plan to it which takes into account the specificities of the economic situation. In all likelihood, the health issue, through rigorous compliance with health prevention measures, would be required.
The other challenge will be to highlight the intrinsic tourism offer in each region through appropriate marketing campaigns, where innovation and anticipation of demand remain key tools for promoting the national tourism product.
In an interview with MAP, Hassan Aboutayeb, expert in tourism and sustainable development, notes, in this regard, that digital technology is a tool capable of guaranteeing effective promotion of the Kingdom’s tourism potential, emphasizing the need to innovate and reinvent the tourism offer according to the new expectations of Moroccans.
The challenge is therefore to offer Moroccan customers products that meet their expectations. Mr. Aboutayeb believes that the creation of collaborative travel platforms can allow Moroccans to become “ambassadors of their territory” by disseminating “instagramable” experiences, citing the example of the “All Souss Massa” platform in the Agadir region.
In connection with the Covid-19 pandemic, the sustainable tourism expert points out that “a strong need for rejuvenation is felt” among Moroccans, particularly during this post-containment period. For him, it is therefore necessary to orient the offer towards well-being, not only the well-being of SPAs but well-being in general: personal development, spiritual tourism, meditation retreat…
He also recommends innovating in terms of products and anticipating trends, noting in this regard that Moroccans are, by nature, inclined to return to their sources and traditions. Products can be launched at the gastronomy level because each region of Morocco, particularly the rural environment, can offer varied dishes and different local products,” he suggests.
Except that another question arises: how to adapt the local tourist offer to the purchasing power of Moroccan customers? Our interlocutor, being convinced that “travel must be a right for all citizens”, recommends supporting Moroccan households to go on a trip, through, for example, the provision of traveler’s checks or the scheduling of staggered vacations.
Combining travel pleasure and health safety is at least the new equation that tourism professionals will have to respond to during this summer season. Offering suitable and attractive tourist packages and ensuring that current health measures are respected together would be the way to meet the challenge. Let’s stay vigilant!
source; mapexpress.ma
