Muthomi Ireri
In Morocco’s Agafay region, tourists are gearing up for a quintessential desert adventure—camel rides. This traditional mode of transport is emblematic of the eco-tourism initiatives that Morocco is increasingly promoting.
In June, Morocco’s Tourism Minister, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, underscored that sustainability is now a central focus for the country’s tourism sector. Eco-tourism is gradually growing, particularly in Agafay, located about 35 kilometers from Marrakech. During the first half of June, Morocco welcomed 17.6 million tourists, with eco-tourism representing 5% of this figure and around 3% of that concentrated in Agafay.
A pioneering eco-tourism project in Agafay is the Kasbah Agafay Hotel and Spa. Founded by Abdessalam Damoussi, the hotel, which opened in 2000, was built using locally sourced, natural materials and was inspired by Damoussi’s reading of Prince Sultan bin Salman’s book, Back to Earth. This project aimed to create a deep connection between guests and the land.
Since 2018, other eco-tourism ventures have emerged in Agafay, with Damoussi’s Kasbah receiving approximately 5,000 visitors annually. Guests experience a range of activities such as camel and horse rides, hiking, local music performances, spa treatments, and cooking classes using ingredients from the Kasbah’s organic garden.
Youssef Koubaa, a Belgian tourist from Algeria, praises Morocco’s eco-tourism offerings, comparing them favorably to those in countries like Indonesia and Thailand. The cooking classes, in particular, offer guests the chance to understand the origins and cultural significance of their food, as noted by Laurent Olier, a tourist from France.
Accommodation at the Kasbah includes traditional tents made from natural materials and stone rooms designed to optimize energy efficiency. Damoussi is committed to sustainability, exploring options like solar panels and drip irrigation, and eschewing pesticides on the property.
Nabil Bouraissi, a tourist adviser and hotel manager, highlights that while eco-tourism currently represents a small portion of Morocco’s tourism sector, its potential for additional revenue is significant. He notes that eco-tourism can attract visitors during off-peak times and is viewed as a complementary rather than competing form of tourism.
The Moroccan government is supporting this shift towards sustainability. In June, Minister Ammor announced the “Go Siyaha” green growth program, which aims to encourage tourist businesses to adopt energy-efficient practices. Morocco has set a goal to attract 26 million tourists by 2030, with a growing emphasis on eco-friendly tourism.
Dj Vnyash
