Development of Ouarzazate's New Tourist Area
01-01-2007

The assessment of the tenderers' applications as regards the stage of the final selection intended for the classification of potential investors and the development of Ouarzazate's New Tourist Area, took place from November, 28, 2006 to December 19, 2006 at the headquaters of the Tourism Department.

Two tenderers have participated in this stage. The classification of the candidates has been carried out by an inter-ministerial Committee according to the quality of the stable core (NS) (complementarity of the trade of the NS's members, experiences and financial stability) and to the proposition concerning the area's development.

So the candidates have been classified as follows:

1. Marrakech Palm Grove / Thomas and Piron Group;
2. Fadesa - Morocco.

The Government will start the negotiation process of the terms of convention related to the improvement of the zone in question with the candidate who has ranked first, and namely the Marrakech Palm Grove / Thomas and Piron Group.

At the same time, and in accordance with the regulations of selection, it has been agreed to pursue the negotiation process with the first candidate; and if such a process will not bear fruit, the Government would enter into negotiations with the candidate who has ranked second.

The New Tourist Area of Ouarzazate will comprise several tourist accommodation units of high quality as well as some entertainment equipments: a fitness center, an aquatic park, nautical activities, 'son et lumière', film studios, movie museum, city center media, golfing activities, business spaces etc. This zone, which will be entirely developed by the selected candidate, will require an investment of about 6 billion DH and it will contribute to the creation of about 2.000 direct jobs.

It is worth noting that the development of this area is in line with the Regional Development Program of Ouarzazate-Zagora destination, which comprises, among others, the creation of 5000 hotel beds, the development of a charming accommodation unit among the Ksours and Kasbahs of the South, with a view to positioning the tourist offer in the region.   

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