How has tourism transformed the Moroccan coast?

1. The development of tourism in Morocco

The number of tourists has increased by 2 between 2001 and 2009 to 8.8 million arrivals in 2010. These international tourists come mainly from Europe (6.68 million) and more specifically of France (1700 000).

Doc. 1 : Marché de Djemaa el Fna au Maroc

Mazagan Beach Resort is a Moroccan resort under construction, located on the Atlantic coast in the province of El Jadida, close to a range of 7 kilometers. She already has a hotel with 500 rooms and suites and a golf course. Will add more hotels, villas, shops, a convention center.

This resort is produced as part of a tourism development plan - the "Plan Azur" - launched by the Moroccan government to strengthen the tourism infrastructure and thus participate in the country's economic development.
2. Causes of the tourist boom in Morocco
Morocco has many tourist attractions:

• geographical and cultural proximity, as this tourist destination is a 3 hour flight from most European capitals;

• Mediterranean climate (mild, dry and sunny) and varied landscapes (coastal);

Doc. 2: View of Tangiers in Morocco • cultural heritage quality;

Doc. 3: The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.• competitive due to cheap labor price;• enhancement of coastline with quality infrastructure - hotel, recreation (golf ...) and transport (roads ...) - the training and promotion in the "Plan Azur" (2001-2009).3. Consequences of the tourist boomThe economic benefits are numerous since tourism creates jobs and wealth. Indeed, the sector employs 700,000 people and represents 10% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of Morocco.But it causes environmental problems, including increased water consumption and "concretisation" of the coast. Indeed, the water consumption of a tourist is 500 liters per day while that of a Moroccan is only 40 liters per day. The seasonal concentration during the summer, and space on the coastline of tourism increases the impact on the environment.The solution could be the diversification of activities and the development of new forms of tourism: cultural and urban, adventure ...The essentialMorocco has a number of tourist attractions as well as government action that works in the country's economic development by enhancing the Moroccan coast including the development of seaside resorts.But if Morocco experienced a real tourist boom, it has serious consequences on the environment and is very dependent of tragic events such as the terrorist attacks like the one that was perpetrated on the Jemaa el Fna square in Marrakesh in April 2011

 !