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Rabat – Besides social issues, the 2016-2017 annual report of Morocco’s Court of Auditors has also pinpointed irregularities in tourism projects.
The report, which was made public Monday, August 27, has found a “low rate of achievement” for the 15 signed regional program contracts (CPR) signed since 2010, part of the government’s “Vision 2020” for tourism development.
The surge of local and foreign tourists in Morocco touted by Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism did not appear to satisfy the head of the Court of Auditors, Driss Jettou.
According to the report, “The analysis of the progress of the projects planned by the CPR shows a weak completion rate.”
Many projects have not been completed
Jettou’s document revealed that of the 944 tourism projects since 2010 “only 37 projects were completed at the end of 2015, for an amount of nearly MAD 1.4 billion.” While MAD 151 billion was allocated to the projects, only 1.4 billion was spent for the intended purpose.
None of the governance bodies, which were planned in the 2010 launch of Vision 2020, have seen the light, according to the report.
Jettou also warned that two flagship programs were planned, but “no action has been taken.” The two programs are “Qariati,” a program for the integrated development of rural tourism and nature, and “Mdinti,” an integrated program for tourism development of the cultural and handicraft products in the medinas (old cities).
The program was designed by the Moroccan Society of Tourist Engineering (SMIT) as part of Vision 2020.
The Moroccan government launched Vision 2020 to double Morocco’s tourism sector in terms of number of visitors, investments, and remittances.
Eight years on, Jettou’s report reveals that many of the envisioned programs have not been achieved.
The report mentioned other Vision 2020 programs, including the National Program for Innovation and Tourism Competitiveness, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to improve tourism.
The report noted that two support measures were set up to support SMEs, “Moussanda Siyaha” (support for tourism) and “Renovotel.” The systems, according to the report, have been found to be “below expectations.”
To supervise tourism activity, the government modernized the legal and regulatory corpus for the main tourism professions, such as accommodation, distribution (travel agencies), and tourism guide, “without, however, recording a real breakthrough,” according to the report.
Morocco’s airport situation is unacceptable
The report also gave airport management an important section.
According to the report, the design and management of the airports did not follow the master plan.
Criticizing the Moroccan Airports Authority (ONDA), the Court of Auditors noted management’s failure to evaluate the financial opportunities for airport projects.
The report also mentioned that almost all airport projects did not include an environmental impact study prior to their completion in accordance with Law 12.03 on environmental impact studies.
Jettou handed over his 200-page report to King Mohammed VI on the eve of Throne Day, July 29.
