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The Meknès-Tafilalet region is banking on 23 structuring projects with a total investment of 6,134.5 MDH for the enhancement of its cultural heritage and natural resources. These projects, set out within the framework of the Regional Programme Contract (CPR) of Meknès-Tafilalet, concretise the implementation of the 2020 strategy into a regional and territorial roadmap for tourism development.
The "Heritage and Legacy" programme translates into projects for the enhancement of the History of Morocco in Meknès, the heritage of the Imperial City, the medina of Meknès, and the site of Volubilis. On the menu is the creation of a Museum of the History of Morocco in Meknès, notably with the development of exhibition galleries organised into different chronological and thematic sections, interactive spaces, a library, and the organisation of travelling and temporary exhibitions. This project should absorb an investment of nearly 1 billion DH, financed by the public and private sectors. It is planned to develop a thematic resort within the Imperial City of Meknès, a high-standing tourist complex with a capacity of 1,100 beds. The land identified for this project is the Jnane Souani plot, part of which is state-owned and the other belongs to private owners. The project will require an investment estimated at 1.1 billion DH. A thematic resort around the History of Morocco will, for its part, be built at Aïn Orma in Meknès. This resort will offer historical reconstructions of the great deeds of the History of Morocco, from Antiquity to the present day. With a capacity of 3,000 beds, it will be composed of several villages, each corresponding to a characteristic moment of Moroccan History. The project will require a total investment estimated at 3.5 billion DH. Numerous projects are also planned to better highlight the Imperial City, notably the development of a gourmet restaurant at Méchouar Stinia with an investment of 6 MDH, an interpretation centre on the site of the Moulay Ismaïl granaries with a total investment estimated at 37 MDH, and several tourist circuits, notably a 2 km interpretation circuit of the Imperial City with an investment of 15 MDH, to allow visitors to walk in the footsteps of Moulay Ismaïl. An envelope of 8 MDH is even planned for the historical reconstruction of the cavalry of Moulay Ismaïl with historical scenes of the era. To this are added several projects for the rehabilitation and enhancement of the monuments of the Imperial City, the medina of Meknès, and Volubilis. Better yet, the programme includes several projects for the enhancement of the cultural offer and the development of a charming accommodation offer within the medina of Meknès. Old houses and fondouks will be converted into Riads and guest palaces, in order to offer an authentic experience to travellers. This project will make it possible to put on the market a bed capacity of 500 beds. As for the "Animation, Sports and Leisure" programme, it is broken down into a project for the development of an equestrian centre. This centre will be set up in Tizguite, in the province of Ifrane. It will include an equestrian club as well as a catering space, and will have an accommodation capacity of 30 beds. A 3 ha plot has already been identified. The development of the project will require an investment estimated at 6 MDH.
The "Eco/Sustainable Development" programme will translate into the development of several tourist circuits and the setting up of an accommodation offer in bivouacs.
In detail, the programme includes the development of hiking and animal-back circuits in the hinterland of Ifrane, the development of cycle routes in the province of Ifrane, the development and marking of 4x4 circuits in the dunes of Merzouga, with an extension to Lake Iriki, in addition to a passage through Erg Lihoudi and Chigaga, and finally the setting up of bivouacs in Merzouga.
In order to complete the tourism offer of the region, 70 complementary projects will be added to the structuring projects described previously. These projects will be developed within the framework of the "Animations, Sports and Leisure", "Eco/Sustainable Development", "High Value-Added Niche", and "Heritage and Legacy" programmes. The total amount of investment required for these projects is estimated at 1,766.95 MDH.
-* ■ 23 structuring projects with a total investment of 6,134.5 MDH.
-* ■ 70 complementary projects with an estimated investment of 1,766.95 MDH.
Provider / Source : Rachida Bami, Le Matin
