Austrians, Dutch discover Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate saw more tourists in 2006 than the year before - Austrian and Dutch visitors scored the most spectacular growth.
The number of Austrian visitors to Ouarzazate who spent at least one night in a classified hotel rose from a paltry 34 in 2005 to 581 last year. That’s an increase of over 1,600 percent, the local tourism authority neatly points out, Le Matin writes today.
Ouarzazate also persuaded 90 percent more Dutch tourists to stay at least a night in the city. Spanish arrivals were up 15 percent, while the number of French visitors slipped by 7 percent.
French tourists are traditionally the main market for Ouarzazate, and remained the largest group of foreigners in 2006. The total figures show a 10 percent increase in the number of visitors to Ouarzazate.
But, Le Matin continues, the average visitor stays in the city for just two days. People who work in tourism in Ourzazate blame this on “a flagrant lack of entertainment” in the city, the paper adds.
The president of the local tourist board, Mohamed Saïd M’rani, appeals for improved accessibility for his city. He tells Le Matin that Ouarzazate needs more international flights into its airport, and urges the authorities to seriously consider a tunnel between Marrakech and Ouarzazate.
Right now, to reach Ouarzazate from Marrakech, people have to cross the Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass. While the four-hour drive is very scenic, a trip over the winding road can be challenging. During the winter, the road is sometimes completely shut by heavy rains or snow.
A tunnel, Mr. M’rani tells Le Matin would not just improve accessibility for Ouarzazate, it would also open up “the entire Draa valley”.