The tourism development plan is on track

The delegate of the Ministry of Tourism in Fès-Boulemane, Youssef Tadlaoui, recently made a presentation at the wilaya of Fès on the situation of the tourism sector. He notably indicated in his speech that the PDRT (Regional Tourism Development Plan) of Fès has the merit of having triggered an unprecedented dynamism in the spiritual capital and maintains that the tourism investments, registered within the framework of this plan, are on the right track. He cited, among others, the development of a tourist zone in Oued Fès (171 hectares), the restoration of the Medina with notably the rehabilitation of the historic Karaouyine, Sidi Ahmed Tijani, Moulay Driss district, the restoration of the walls, the rehabilitation of the Attarine and Cheratine madrasas, the rehabilitation of the Aï Azliten district, the safeguarding of tourist circuits, the development of the Jnane Sbil park and the development of the R’cif square as well as Oued El Jawaher.

In terms of tourism investments, the year 2001 saw the opening of the 5* Palais Médina hotel, the 4* Barcelo Fès Médina hotel and two Riads. The total of these investments amounts to some 344.5 million DH with a total capacity of 789 beds. The other hotel projects currently being carried out in Fès concern the 4* Across hotel, the 2* Etap Fès hotel and the 5* Babylon Fès hotel. The total of these investments amounts to 191.34 million DH for a total capacity of 864 beds. Youssef Tadlaoui also specified that 64 classified guest houses are currently operational within the Medina with a total capacity of nearly 1,119 beds and 23 other guest house projects are in the process of being authorised.

"These new openings have allowed for the consolidation of the bed capacity of Fès, all categories combined, which currently reaches 8,430 beds. Better still, 40 tourism projects are currently being examined by various commissions in charge of these files. These tourism investments total a budget of approximately 14 billion DH", he added.

However, faced with this ambient optimism, the sector's operators for their part draw a rather reserved picture of tourism activity in Fès and demand more support from the supervisory ministry.

Aziz Lebbar, president of the CRT (Regional Tourism Council), insisted on reminding the supervisory minister that Marrakech has always enjoyed the unconditional support of previous governments to the detriment of Fès.

He denounced what he qualifies as "favouritism", something which according to him certainly penalises the destination. He also demanded the opening of concrete paths to save national tourism from the crisis that threatens it.

Provider / Source : Le Matin