The American news agency “Associated Press” has chosen Ouarzazate, the gem of southeastern Morocco, which combines the charm of the desert, the authenticity of historic kasbahs and palaces, and the beauty of stunning nature, to produce a report on the region’s tourist, natural, and historical resources. The agency aims to highlight examples of tourists who have preferred to visit the region to enjoy unique moments in the embrace of natural oases in a serene atmosphere, particularly Chinese tourists, given the rapid development of the Chinese market globally.
The Associated Press began its report in the Taznakht area, focusing on the famous Awouzkite carpets, one of the finest in the world and a significant facet of Morocco’s traditional industry. These carpets are crafted by the Ait Awouzkite tribes, located at the convergence of the three Atlas mountain ranges. The aim is to promote this rich cultural heritage and shed light on the role of female weavers in local economic development. Tourists take advantage of their visits to Ouarzazate to explore traditional artisanal products, including carpets, textiles, jewelry, and decor, which provide insights into the history of the region.
The American agency’s crew then moved to the famous Ait Ben Haddou, a remarkable tourist site in the region, which has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for about 40 years. It was ranked seventh in CNN Travel’s classification of the 21 most beautiful castles in the world. This kasbah attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The report will also focus on foreign tourists from Europe, America, and Asia, especially Chinese tourists who arrive through organized tours, gathered in groups with tour guides to explore the structures of this traditional earthen landmark and purchase local artisanal products.
Moreover, the crew utilized their visit to Ouarzazate to highlight the tourist and historical qualifications of Skoura Oasis, considered one of the best olive oil production areas in Morocco, as its oils rival the quality of the finest national oils. The “Skoura Olive Oil” produced by the Hassaniya Cooperative received a quality medal from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1986, a significant achievement not attained by many similar products despite their long-standing operations in this field. The report also highlighted the natural qualities of Skoura Oasis, where the dry climate merges with lush oases, and untouched nature coexists with mountainous hamlets, creating a unique tourist offer that is rare on an international level, granting the region the potential to become a valued international tourist destination and a prominent face of Moroccan tourism.
In this context, Iman Saber, President of the Regional Tourism Council in Ouarzazate, explained that media reports and television features play a pivotal role in promoting global tourist destinations, effectively bringing followers closer to the importance of tourism products and emphasizing Morocco’s strengths, such as security stability and the richness of its tourism offerings alongside facilitating and encouraging offers. She noted that the report produced by the American agency “Associated Press” represented an opportunity to showcase the vast tourist capabilities that Ouarzazate has to offer, as with other regions of the kingdom, highlighting its adequate hospitality capacity based on the number of classified hotels and its historical and cultural heritage like kasbahs, palaces, oases, towering mountains, and historical monuments.
Saber emphasized that Ouarzazate is preparing to undergo a critical phase in its tourism development, with several hotel establishments undergoing renovations reopening, signaling a strong commitment from both public and private stakeholders and the ambitious policies led by the Ministry of Tourism, while stressing the need to mobilize investors.
She pointed out the encouraging impact of national programs such as “Cap Hospitality” and “Go Tourism,” which specifically support tourism and hotel investments. These structural mechanisms reflect a shared will to renew the tourism offer of the region sustainably, relying on quality, innovation, and institutional coordination.
Saber then addressed the “Rising Ouarzazate” plan, recently launched by the Moroccan National Tourist Office, specifically designed for the area with the goal of repositioning Ouarzazate as a unique tourist destination that lies at the intersection of the desert, cinematic heritage, and cultural immersion.
After applauding the strategic role of the Moroccan National Tourist Office, Iman Saber confirmed that the Ouarzazate Regional Tourism Council is determined to align its efforts with national initiatives through targeted promotional actions, stressing that the integration of local and national plans is critical for enabling Ouarzazate to regain its potential and establish itself as a leading tourist destination in the kingdom.
Saber concluded that the revitalization of Ouarzazate as a tourist destination would not be complete without significant improvements in air connectivity, linking the city with several European capitals alongside major national routes to fully achieve the region’s aspirations.
It is noteworthy that the Associated Press is a global news agency with a public interest focus, headquartered in the United States, established in 1846, and one of the oldest and most powerful agencies in the world, operating 145 offices in the U.S. and 95 offices in 72 other countries.
With over 4,000 employees, including 3,000 journalists, the agency publishes reports in five languages: English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish, serving nearly 1,500 American newspapers and thousands of radio and television stations.
Since 2009, it has also developed the industry’s most advanced digital photo network, a 24-hour news service, a distinctive television news service, and the largest radio network in the United States.
