A seminar at the International Book and Publishing Fair on tourism development in the Oriental region
Tourism development in the Oriental region, especially around “Moulay Ali Cherif” Lake, was the focus of a seminar held yesterday, Monday, at the International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat.
The seminar, hosted by the exhibition of the Oriental Development Agency under the slogan “The new tourism offer in the Mediterranean.. Marchika-Med complex,” highlighted the importance of this region as a strategic destination and a model for environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Mohammed Boubarak, the Director General of the Oriental Development Agency, emphasized the region’s primary role in developing Mediterranean tourism, describing “Marchika” as a strategic project resulting from in-depth thinking about the future of an area that contains one of the largest lakes in the Mediterranean.
He explained that the seven distinctive sites in “Marchika” reflect the natural and cultural richness of the region, stressing the need to preserve this exceptional area while promoting sustainable and eco-friendly tourism.
After noting that “the development of the region should be accompanied by tangible strategies, such as the construction of a palace hotel and direct involvement of public enterprises in structured tourism development,” he addressed the future of Mediterranean tourism in the face of environmental challenges.
In this context, geopolitical and international relations expert Toufik Boudchiche stated that the “Marchika” project is part of a comprehensive vision for spatial development in the Kingdom, pointing out that opening up to the northern shore of the Mediterranean has been a priority for His Majesty King Mohammed VI since ascending the throne, particularly through the establishment of the North Development and Rehabilitation Agency and the development of the coastal road.
The expert discussed the potential strategic connections between key cities in the north, such as Saidia, Nador, and Tangier, highlighting the importance of situating these developments within a comprehensive and sustainable vision.
He added that “Marchika is not just a local project; it is a developmental model reflecting Morocco’s ambition for integrated and innovative tourism.”
For his part, Imad Berqi, General Director of the Moroccan Company for Tourism Engineering, stressed the need to develop local tourism capable of creating job opportunities and resources for the residents of the Oriental region.
He considered that the ecological approach is also essential to ensure the preservation of natural resources and the sustainability of this destination, emphasizing the strategic role of the Oriental region in the national tourism landscape.
In this context, he addressed the potential provided by natural, cultural, and coastal tourism, citing “Marchika” as a high-end tourist destination, with Saidia as a tourism hub focused on sports and recreational activities.
Berqi called for enhancing domestic tourism and valuing the historic cities in the region, in a manner that harmonizes within a diverse tourist offering.
