Morocco to host the 1st UNWTO regional office for Africa in Marrakech

The candidature of Morocco to host the first African office of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the second in the world, has been ratified during the 24th session of the General Assembly of the Organization, the Moroccan delegation participating in this global conclave has been informed. The Moroccan candidature was approved in a context of tough competition from four other African countries.

The choice of the city of Marrakech as the first regional office for Africa has confirmed the Kingdom’s continental leadership in the field of tourism development.

The mission of the UNWTO continental office will cover the promotion of investment and tourism innovation by building on a model of South-South cooperation in the spirit of the Royal Vision for Joint African Action.

During this General Assembly, held from 30 November to 3 December in the Spanish capital, Morocco was elected as a member of the UNWTO Executive Council for the 2021-2025 term.

These achievements are the crowning glory of the efforts made by the Moroccan delegation, led by the Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatima-Zahra Ammor, during the work of the General Assembly of the WTO, which was attended by more than 500 government officials and tourist operators.

In her speech at the official opening, Ms. Ammor emphasized the importance of this key event which provides a platform for exchange on recovery strategies.

The minister also recalled the mobilization of the Moroccan government, under the impetus of King Mohammed VI, to protect the health of Moroccan citizens and reduce the effects of the pandemic on the sectors most affected, notably tourism.

Despite the agility and resilience that the sector has always shown, the unprecedented scale of the current crisis makes it more necessary than ever to strengthen cooperation between UNWTO and its Member States in order to restore the confidence of travellers, tourism businesses and investors.

The Moroccan participation was marked by the consecration of the village of Sidi Kaouki (Province of Essaouira) as “Best Tourism Village 2021”. The seaside village of Sidi Kaouki was selected among more than 170 applications from 75 countries. The award recognizes Morocco’s continued efforts to build an environmentally responsible destination.

Finally, several meetings between the Moroccan delegation and leading tourism operators were held on the sidelines of the General Assembly, in order to prepare the recovery in Morocco.

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