 In Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, the new Coronavirus (Covid-19) has weighed heavily on tourism, one of the pillars of the regional economy.
Faced with closed borders, a strategy was immediately imposed to attract national tourists to a region where tourist activity depended heavily on foreign visitors.
A lot to do for professionals of the sector at the regional level, who lead, since the beginning of the crisis, a reflection on the means to overcome this situation and promote internal tourism, in consultation with the departments concerned, which rely on tourism to succeed in the economic recovery of the region.
Far from being discouraged by the health crisis, operators in the sector see it as an opportunity to develop internal tourism and allow Moroccans to benefit from the region's potential.
Indeed, confined for more than three months, this year they will have the opportunity to discover or (for some) rediscover the pearl of the South, given that international destinations are still inaccessible due to the Covid-19.
Regarding the measures adopted to boost tourist activity in the hinterland of the Pearl of the South, the regional tourism delegate, Daif Allah Andour, stressed that national tourism is the most suitable choice for current situation, indicating that tourism professionals in the region are currently preparing for their hosts varied offers and attractive packages to attract more national tourists.
In a statement to MAP, Mr. Andour noted that the tourism delegation conducts consultations with tourism professionals and other partners, in order to unite them around an entertainment program likely to boost the current offer and improve the attractiveness of the Dakhla destination through the promotion of niche markets with high added value, focusing in particular on nautical and sporting activities geared towards “tourist clusters”.
The concept will focus on sports niches in the PK 25-Dune Blanche area integrating bicycle circuits, equestrian courses, introductory courses in kitesurfing and sand golf and spaces for quads, as well as outdoor restaurant circuits and tasting of seafood “with fishermen” in areas like Dar Nasrani, Jebel Lakhal and Ain L'Baida, belonging to the commune of El Argoub, he continued.
This tourist cluster will also include sport fishing at bay and ocean levels, in addition to circuits reserved for maritime getaway by boat including family packages and involving a crossing of the lagoon, in addition to kayaking, Canoeing and swimming in places like Dragon Island, he said.
This program will also create an incentive context for the development and expansion of the tourism product, as well as the creation of employment and self-employment opportunities for young people.
Aware that the resumption of economic activity is closely linked to compliance with health measures, the regional tourism delegate emphasized the health measures to be adopted, pleading in this direction for the respect of social distancing, wearing masks and regular and constant disinfection at all links in the tourist value chain, including air and land transport, accommodation establishments, restaurants and guided excursions.
President of the Regional Tourism Council (CRT) of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, Ahmed Abdellaoui noted that the Council has put in place an ambitious recovery plan for the post-containment period which revolves around four major axes, namely promotion, product development, communication and animation, in order to promote the Dakhla destination.
Mr. Abdellaoui underlined in this vein that the CRT published videos and photos on social networks to promote Dakhla nationally , while putting online a mobile application, in order to highlight the cultural heritage and natural wealth of the region.
Asked about the importance of promoting domestic tourism in this crucial period marked in particular by the absence of international flights, CRT chairman said that the promotion of internal tourism also requires a specific approach with Moroccan travel agencies.
CRT has established partnerships with national travel agencies and set up promotional packages, while offering visitors upon arrival, a welcome pack containing an anti-covid-19 behavior guide, bottle of hydro-alcoholic gel, washable cloth mask and map of the city and region, as well as brochure entitled “My holidays in Dakhla”, with useful addresses of tourist spots, kitesurf schools, SPA centers, restaurants, harbor, handicraft complex and various beaches, he added.
He also said that packages and offers targeting Moroccan tourists are being prepared with attractive prices for Moroccan families, to encourage them visit the various tourist sites in the region.
Representing more than 38 tourist accommodation establishments, Dakhla-Oued Eddahab has asserted itself in recent years as a major tourist destination both nationally and internationally, thanks to its natural and cultural assets efforts made by the various stakeholders and development of tourism infrastructure in the region.
Result: the tourism sector in the city of Dakhla has shown strong growth in recent years, as evidenced by the increase in the number of nights in classified hotels, from 127,001 in 2018 to 161,680 last year, an increase of 27%.
The Ministry of Tourism, Crafts, Air Transport and Social Economy announced the resumption, from next Thursday, of the activity of tourist accommodation.
But this recovery will be limited, initially, in terms of capacity and geographically conditioned according to areas
.-News on Western Sahara / Corcas-
|