Morocco has long been a popular destination, however in recent years has seen a dramatic increase in tourism, in no sort part due to the vision and concerted efforts of His Majesty Mohamed VI, the King of Morocco. He has opted for a major drive to promote Morocco as a location for tourism, and to put in place a detailed strategy for the improvement of the infrastructure necessary to cater to the growing demands of the traveller. There is even a proposed tunnel to the Costa del Sol in Spain.,

In January 2001 at the National Meeting on Tourism, Morocco activated its new strategy as Vision 2010, or Project Azul. The objectives of the plan are to reach the scheduled target of 10 million tourists by 2010, with the emphasis on international tourists who will make up 70% of the volume of visitors.

In order to facilitate the increased volume, a further 160,000 hotel beds will be made available increasing the total for the country to 230,000.

It is planned that investment levels will reach 9 billion euros as more seaside resorts are created, increasing the influx of income through the industry to 48 billion euros. In the process it is expected that over half a million new jobs will be created. This will increase the contribution of tourism to the GDP to 8.5%.

The grand plan will create 6 new purpose built “King’s Resorts” along the Moroccan coastline in Saidia, Lixus, Mazagan, Mogador, Taghazout and Plage Blanche, and the necessary improvement and development of tourist facilities in Fez, Casablanca, Agadir, Tangier, Tetouan and Marrakech.

The Kings resorts will be built to the highest standards and will incorporate front line beach hotels in the Moroccan climate, golf courses, sporting facilities, marinas, and real estate and investment opportunities with full foreign ownership. The complexes will be low rise so as not to impact too greatly on the environment and will be interlaced with many traditional Moroccan features such as the Moroccan cuisine. They will form an all encompassing tourist holiday destination, with all possible facilities featuring at each site.

One of the Privately developed resort areas, in Saidia comprises a 14 Sq Km site close to the Algerian Border, with 3 18-hole golf courses, sports pitches, shopping centres and restaurants located around a brand new 840 berth marina.

Major hotel chains such as Barcelo have already started the construction of 5-star resort complexes, and it is in this hotel in Saidia on the Mediterranean coast that the king will have his own private wing to enjoy the area and experience first hand the results of his visionary tourist development programme.