Impact of the crisis on tourism in the Maghreb

The three Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) consider measures to diminish the impact of the crisis on tourism, but if all are affected, some are more vulnerable than others, according to the specialists of the sector.

•     Tunisia, famous destination resort cheap, seems most vulnerable to social impact of the crisis on the European middle class who form the bulk of the 7 million tourists received in 2008.
  
      Tourism, the country's second largest employer, reported 1.7 billion euros in 2008 (6% of GDP) and has not suffered a decline, but a drop in bookings is expected from the first quarter of 2009.
  
      Uncertainty and crisis plan cell saver at the Ministry of Tourism and among hoteliers who "manage day to day by looking closely at what is happening in Europe," says an independent expert.
  
      Habib, Carver from father to son, is in despair: "Since September, no tourist has stopped in front of my stall to have a name or an inscription made on my small copper plates, sold at 10 dinars (5, 5 euros) three.
  
      The hotel sector, with about 239,000 beds, representing 100,000 direct jobs (10% of the workers) and 350,000 indirect jobs.
  
      In winter, most of 870 hotel units reduce or recycle the staff and seasonal workers, the status, will be rehired only from June. The technical unemployment is estimated at 70% of staff receiving between 80 and 50% of wages, according Rhimi Abbas, head of the Federation.
  
      Algeria, where few tourists are allowed is a little affected by the crisis, which has also had "no impact", according to the Ministry of Tourism.
  
      In 2007 (latest figures available), the number of tourists was estimated at 1.74 million: approximately 510,000 foreign-including 170,000 French and 1.23 million Algerians living abroad.
  
      Algeria seeks the figure of 2.5 million tourists in 2011 in developing Saharan tourism declared priority.
  
      Declining attendance of approximately 10% recorded in January 2009 compared to 2008 in the region of Tamanrasset and Djanet (extreme south), two Saharan tourism locations in Algeria, is not necessarily linked to the crisis , according to professionals.
  
      "This tourism is a variable geometry," says a tour operator specialized in the region. "My customers, he says, just a social category (...), easy desert lovers who are willing to make sacrifices."
  
      As for Morocco, the main tourist destination in the Maghreb, he set up, thanks to sophisticated infrastructure and a wide range, a strategy (CAP-2009), to mitigate the impact of the crisis on this sector, biggest currency.
  
      According to official figures, Morocco has received 8 million tourists in 2008, an increase of 7% over 2007.
  
      But its revenues of 58 billion dirhams (5.2 billion) were down 1% compared to 2007, mainly because of fluctuations in exchange rates abroad, according to Tourism Minister Mohamed Boussaid.
  
      "CAP-2009 aims to consolidate our market share in terms of markets, including Europe, and promote those from the Gulf and Russia," he said.
  
      "We must not be alarmist, tourism in Morocco is very good," he said recently, reiterating the goal of 10 million tourists in 2010.
  
      In Marrakech, destination, tourism officials refuse to speak of a crisis, but privately, hoteliers are worried and some have even begun to lower their prices, said an independent observer.
  
      In 2009, Morocco will have in any case an additional capacity of 20,000 beds, to reach a total supply of 160,000 beds.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.