MARRAKECH: ALARMING DROPS FOR TOURISM

MARRAKECH: ALARMING DROPS FOR TOURISM

Tourists were less numerous in 2011 and the trend continues in 2012 as the main European source markets are in trouble
             
We know. Tourism goes wrong in Marrakech. Professionals expect a very difficult year in 2012 due to the economic crisis in the main European source markets. Crisis for which they have paid the price in 2011 already. With bookings down in 2012, there is very little visibility on the sector. Last year, the sector has accumulated a drop of 9% compared to 2010. This decline has resulted in a decline at the same nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments classified in Marrakech. The downward trend had already been identified by professionals. It has been confirmed by the official statistics of the tourism observatory in 2011. Since 2007, the timeliness of these statistics extension. Previously, it took 25 days to publish figures reported by the accommodations. Today, it requires recutting visibly longer.
This is the first time that the real figures are much worse than expected. According to statistics, last December, the month that usually gets a health tourism has experienced a serious decline of 12%. This decrease is mainly due to the negative results recorded by non-residents (15%). Sending countries have experienced drastic declines and like the Italian market, where the falls were 48% or the Spanish market with 20% down. Europeans, however fond Product Marrakech in December, are less likely to opt for the ocher city in times of celebration. However, tourists from Arab countries though. This market grew 36% last December.
In cumulative arrivals and overnight stays, the French market more concerned. He had a 21% drop in arrivals and 14% in terms of nights. This market is, remember, half the volume of non-resident tourism in Marrakesh. The UK market has decreased by 1% with a decline of 12% in December and, at the same time the flight frequencies are growing from London. For its part, the residential tourism is doing well. It grew 14% in 2011 generating more than 145,000 overnight stays.



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Tourism: cancellations since the attack in Marrakech

Tourism: 15,000 cancellations since the attack of 28 April in Marrakech

The attack will force Marrakech tourism professionals to review their calculations. It is still "very early" to take stock of course, but thousands of tourists have canceled their trip. The French, more likely to visit Morocco to say less tempted to spend their holidays in some Arab countries, including the kingdom.

Difficult to accept, but the attack in Marrakesh risk of carrying a heavy blow to the tourism industry in Morocco. Not less than 15 000 tourists, representing 3% of the total, have already canceled their stay in Morocco, due to the attack of 28 April stated that the Tourism Minister Yassir Znagui, quoted by Reuters. In different hotels of the ocher city, these cancellations are confirmed. As at Riad Orchidé, where we talk "a lot" of withdrawals holiday "because of the attack." At Riad Iaazan always in Marrakech, managers say they have not yet experienced withdrawal.
Confidence
Regional Centre for Tourism Marrakech, confidence still remains the watchword: "It is very early to make an assessment. We need at least three weeks in order to assess the real impact of the attack on the tourist activity in the city, which continues its normal course until now, "said Abdellatif Abouricha, Head of Communications of the Centre. Before the attack, the attendance was up 10% compared to the previous year, but "the strength of the sector will be put to the test this year," admits his part by the Minister of Tourism.
Growth of 8%
One area tested, but can still give good results: "The data we have so far and the response we have developed makes us confident about the outlook for the sector (...) growth of 8 % of revenue in 2011 is possible on the basis of what we see today, "predicts Znagui. Its industry directly employs 450,000 people and accounts for 10% of the gross domestic product of Morocco. Marrakech and Agadir performing alone, 62% of Moroccan nights.
Effort, it will take tourism professionals to attract more foreign customers, especially the French. They represent 32% of Moroccan nights. Only 90% of them say, in a survey (conducted from April 6 to 12, before the bombing of Marrakech), neglecting popular destinations such as Egypt, Tunisia, but also Morocco. No need to look further, the "Arab Spring" has been there.


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Timitar Music Festival in Agadir

Timitar Music Festival in Agadir
 2012 Concert for Tolerance in Agadir Programme, photos, videos, Concert for Tolerance is an event that brings together leading national and international artists each year on the beach in Agadir.
Date Concert for Tolerance 2012 Agadir: This 7th edition will take place on October 6 from 20:30 as usual on the beach in Agadir, close to the marina.
  This event is intended to represent the Peace, Love, Tolerance, and Fraternity in the world. This is sponsored by renowned chains such as 2M, France 2 and TV5, M6 and promoters of tourism regions.
  in the program: Here is the list of artists participating in the Concert for Tolerance 2012: Baptiste Giabiconi, Colonel Reyel, DJ Mam's, Enrico Macias, Garou, Jenifer, Jessy Matador, Pascal Obispo, Tryo, Vigon, Youssoupha, John Mamann, Julian Perratta, Khaled, La Compagnie Creole Louisy Joseph, M. Pokora, Nossa
Travel To Morocco For The Timitar Music Festival In Agadir
Featuring over 40 artists and 500,000 in attendance, Timitar Festival in Agadir, Morocco, has established itself as one the premiere African music festivals. Considered today as one of the biggest festivals in the country, Timitar provides its audience with an event well rooted in and actively working towards promoting Souss Massa Drâa culture.

The district council of Agadir Under Massa Draâ initiated the Timitar Festival with the goal to set up a cultural project for the meeting between Amazigh artists and world musicians. The President of the festival is the energy tycoon Aziz Akhennouch. The Artistic Director of the festival is Brahim El Mazned.

What defines Timitar from other music festivals in Morocco is its special focus on Amazigh culture. Its permanent theme is “signs and cultures” and Timitar lives up to this tag by including performances by traditional and modern Moroccan musicians alongside those of contemporary international artists.

Each year the Festival Timitar honors artists coming from all over the world including Africa, South America, Europe and the Middle East in order to offer the Agadir audience the best of numerous works in Amazigh traditional music, modern music from the Maghreb and elsewhere, rap, jazz and hip hop.

Since its creation, Timitar has become a key meeting point, both on artistic and cultural levels. As part of Timitar, the Timitar OFF program, which consists of a colloquium and workshops on Deejaying and Veejaying practices for young people, emphasizes Amazigh culture and world music.

The majority of Berbers, also referred to as Amazigh, went unrecognized in North Africa until the mid-‘90’s when they pressed the King publicly for their cultural traditions to be respected and honored. During recent years, the Amazigh have seen a cultural renaissance through recognition of their language in schools, increased awareness in tourism to the Southern region as well as a larger respect from Arab Moroccans and foreigners with regards to their cuisine, Kilim making and silver traditions. This cultural renaissance has been encouraged and fully supported by King Mohammed VI and was initiated by his father King Hassan.

Tashelhit is language of the majority of Berbers and is now being taught in a majority of schools in the South. The government says the aim is to have Berber classes taught in all schools and at all levels within the next 10 years. The move is a sign of increasing recognition of Moroccan Berbers, who have long complained of being denied their rights despite constituting the majority of the population. It is the first step in the fulfillment of a promise made nearly 10 years ago by the late King Hassan to bring Berber into the classroom.Although it is estimated that at least 60% of Moroccans are ethnically Berber or Amazigh as they are known in their own language, Morocco's constitution enshrines Arabic as the country's only official language.

Timitar Festival has produced 46 concerts since its inception. Staged in three open-air venues throughout Agadir, music can be enjoyed at the central Place al Amar, Place Bijaouane and the Théâtre de Verdure. The event is marked by the participation of foreign and domestic artists, presenting eclectic musical styles (Jazz, Hip-Hop, Indian, Spanish and Cuban music) as well as Moroccan culture, including Berber, Gnaoua and other internationally known styles. This great cultural event is organized with the objective of spiritual hospitality and the exchange and is organized around the concept of the meeting of Amazigh music with the music styles of the world.

World renowned artists that have performed at Timitar Festival are Youssou N'Door, Marcel Khalifa, Alpha Blondy, Cheb Khaled, Rokia Traoré, Najat Âatabou, Lamchaheb, Idir, Salif Keita, and Oulad el Bouazzaoui.

Berber groups who have graced the stage are Fatima Tabaamrant, Outajajt, Lahoucine Amarakchi, My Ahmed Ihihi, Fatima Tihihit and Haj Amentag. The audience also has the opportunity to discover new groups working with traditional music within the Souss Massa Drâa Region; who in the past have included Imghrane, Oudaden, Tarragt, Azenkd, Toudart, Lahoucine Aït Baamrane and Aït Laati.

Urban and contemporary music is also commemorated at this seafront festival in account of the alternative artists who made a mark on the local Moroccan music scene, such as Amarg Fusion, Darga, Fez City Clan and Rap 2 Bleb. International urban and contemporary hip hop groups such as Didier Awadi and his band Presidents of Africa and electronic music groups such as Zong and Nortec Collective have also made there way into the festival.

Timitar promises each year to include sounds and images with deejay and veejay sets. In 2008 the festival showcased Al Amal and Bijawane stages, featuring VJ Dennis Dezenn, Kiss Duband Rays; with Dj Big Buddha, Ishtar, Dj B*indi, Mps Pilot, Badr Eddine, Mixape, Dj Key and Dj Saïf.

The diverse line up of the Timitar festival holds strong to spirit of plurality inherent in world music and the Amazigh musical tradition. Attended by Moroccans and foreigners, the Timitar Festival is an exciting foray into Morocco in summer. Along with the spectacular music, one is guaranteed fresh seafood and cool air during the hottest season of the year.




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