It has become a tradition. Every end-of-year celebration, celebrities come to Marrakech to rest and party. While many Moroccans prefer to spend the holidays of the year abroad, tourists from all over the world also decide to spend the holidays in the ocher city. A real boon for professionals in the city’s tourism sector.
What do Nicolas Sarkozy, Dominique Strauss-Kahn and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al Thani have in common? All three are spending the end of year holidays in the city of Marrakech.
Hillary Clinton could also be part of the party
Accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni, Nicolas Sarkozy will give a big party in his luxurious residence on the occasion of New Year’s Day. Dominique Strauss Kahn will stay quietly in his riad located in the medina. As for the Emir of Qatar, he will spend the holidays with his wife before meeting the sovereign. Without forgetting Jamel Debbouzewho will also be in Marrakech, like every year, as well as famous football players like Zinedine Zidane or the Argentinian Lionel Messi. “It is not yet confirmed but it seems that Hillary Clinton could also come to Marrakech because her sister lives in the El Haouz region and lives with a Moroccan” adds Abdellatif Abouricha, communications manager for the Regional Tourism Council in Marrakech, contacted this morning by Yabiladi.
The arrival of these celebrities in Marrakech is a real boon and a real “added value” for the tourism sector of the ocher city struck more than two years ago, in the heart, by the terrorist attacks of April 2011 in Jemaâ El Fna. For Abdellatif Abouricha, their arrival transmits, throughout the world, a safe and positive image of the city.
Discretion, good weather and hospitality of Moroccans
However, if celebrities continue to come to Marrakech every year to spend the end-of-year holidays, it is not to help convey a positive image of the city, but it is quite simply because they appreciate the city. “Since the 90s, celebrities have been coming to Marrakech discreetly. This was the case, for example, of Yves Saint Laurent. We could also see Dominique Strauss Kahn and Anne Sinclair shopping in the city without being disturbed, far from the photographers. Marrakech has countless little alleys that celebrities can walk down without being noticed. These personalities also appreciate the climate, it is a city where the weather is always good, and also appreciate the simplicity and hospitality of the people. », he adds.
A glass of tea at Jemaâ el Fna to celebrate 2013
Result: the benefits are more than beneficial for the city. With the media coverage of the arrival of these personalities in Marrakech, tourists from around the world follow, making Marrakech the fashionable destination to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve. “Between next Friday and Monday December 31, 70% to 100% of hotel rooms will be occupied, without forgetting the restaurants which will welcome customers,” he continues. “Moreover, the city of Marrakech offers affordable prices. Those on a small budget can celebrate on January 31 at Place Jemaâ el Fna with a glass of tea in hand, as other people do on the Champs Elysées, a glass of champagne in hand. Tourists who come to Marrakech don’t want to eat caviar but want to eat Moroccan turkey! They won’t hesitate to eat couscous, tagine or Moroccan salads on New Year’s Eve!”, he explains.
According to Abdellatif Abouricha, other personalities should also come to the ocher city from next Thursday aboard private jets landing at Marrakech airport but also aboard Range Rovers with tinted windows, the cars most rented to transport celebrities.
