Released on: July 9, 2008, 1:15 am

Press Release Author: Karim Zouiyen - Morocco Newsline

Industry: Real Estate

Press Release Summary: Built on a myth, Marrakech has for many years been the
playground for the rich and famous in Morocco. The city may have fallen victim to
its own success. The tell-tale signs are all pointing towards that direction.

Press Release Body: Inflation is at an all time high, real estate prices have sky
rocketed and overnight stays has been decreasing over the past several months. The
city's over-dependence on tourism is becoming a real threat to its economy.

The king's speech at the 2001 tourism conference in Marrakech marked a turning point
in policy. The government presented Vision 2010 as Morocco\'s national tourism
strategy. The main objectives were to attract five times as many visitors in 2010
as in 2002 and create 600.000 new jobs in hospitality and tourism sector. In 2002,
Marrakech benefited from a 200 millions dirham (27.4 Million USD) endowment
established by the King of Morocco. The red city became the jet-set capital of
Africa.

Building on its momentum, Marrakech has capitalized on its competitors unfavorable
environment. The surge in terrorism activity in Egypt in 2002, the bird flue scare
in Turkey and terrorist threats against tourist sites from kurd separatists have all
benefited tourism in Morocco.

Over the next few years, Marrakech would opt for tourism as a strategic development
path. Tourism became the red city largest industry. Thanks to its exotic culture,
its landscapes and proximity, a mere three hour flight from any main European
capital, Marrakesh has attracted over two million tourists in 2007.

Huge investment from the Middle East remain a very important aspect of the foreign
involvement in Marrakech tourism industry. After September 11, many Middle East
investors faced with rising difficulties when investing in Europe and the US turned
to Morocco as a friendly Islamic country with great investment potential.
The city has attracted more then 161 Billion MAD.


Don\'t put your eggs in the same basket..

From an economic viewpoint the economic return of tourism in Marrakech is
undeniable, but there is a flip of the coin very few in the Moroccan government want
to look at. There is no economic activity without external diseconomies.

The upswing of prices has been remarkable in Marrakech. It has affected all sectors
without expection according to the Haut Commissariat au Plan (HCP). Marrakech is
considered today the most expensive city in Morocco. This label does not sit well
with both tourists and locals.

Local officials have been trying to shed off this image. Abdellatif Kabbaj, "the
myth of the expensive city is false, categorically false". This statement
contradicts the HCP number. The cost of living index during the first 5 months of
2008 are higher than the national average by 2.7 points. It has reached 184.9.

A few years ago, Marrakech was sold as a tourist destination where life was simple
and affordable. Between 2003 and 2007 the price of land doubled, thanks to real
estate speculators, the increase of the price of raw materials and wealthy clients
looking for state of the art construction. A few weeks ago, a real estate agency was
advertising in the Financial Times a 1500 square meter house for 6.8 million dollars
in Marrakech. That same agency is also offering for sale a one thousand square meter
villa in the outskirts of St Tropez for 4.25 Millions dollars.

This euphoria has hit all sectors of the local economy. As tourist can afford to buy
items at higher prices, retailers have increased their prices of existing products
and provide more expensive goods. Local residents have had to pay for more expensive
goods. As retailers selling to tourist can afford to pay higher rents, these costs
are passed on to the local consumer as well. Local consumers and tourists alike have
been complaining about these price increases, which are sometimes a higher than
prices in Europe. These inflationary tensions have spilled over into Morocco economy
at large and contributed to a rise in general inflation. In some instances the
locals had to scale down and the cut down on their quality of life.to accept a lower
quality of life than they enjoyed without tourist.

This Marrakech euphoria has spawned a policy of "business opportunism" that will
turn out to be detrimental in the long run. Some unscrupulous taxi drivers,
restaurants and small shops owners, have been charging exorbitant prices.

But how can local officials prevent this excessive pricing? They adhere to the
theory that in a free market economy there is little the government can do against
these sort of abuses. They have implemented regulations to deter taxi drivers and
restaurants from overcharging their clients. But the lack of enforcement of these
regulations makes them inefficient and ineffective. It amounts to window dressing
and fails to in its effort to reassure the international public opinion.


Economic over-dependency

In Marrakech there is not other major economic activities besides tourism. There is
no alternative. The choice is not whether to pick "Manufacturing or Tourism" but
rather "Tourism or unemployment".

Please visit Morocco Newsline for full article
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Karim Zouiyen
Morocco Newsline

Web Site: http://www.morocconewsline.com

Contact Details: Karim Zouiyen
Morocco Newsline
www.morocconewsline.com