After enjoying their best winter season in a decade, tourism operators in Ifrane are now trying to persuade visitors to spend a night or two in the province instead of heading home after a day in the snow.
With winter approaching, hotels and other accommodation providers are preparing for another influx of visitors, particularly domestic tourists who flock to Ifrane and its surrounding areas during periods of snowfall.
During a visit to the province, Le360 observed that tourist activity had already begun to pick up, especially at weekends.
Speaking to Le360, Mohamed Tahiri Alaoui, vice-president of the Ifrane Provincial Tourism Council and president of the provincial association of tourist accommodation providers, said the province needed to make better use of its forests and other natural attractions to encourage longer stays.
He pointed to the cedar forests around Ifrane and Azrou, where activities such as horse riding, hiking, mountain biking and guided walks to discover local plants and wildlife could offer visitors something to do beyond enjoying the snow.
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According to Alaoui, tourism businesses could put together packages covering accommodation, outdoor activities and local products, allowing visitors to spend more time in the area and providing additional income for hotels and other operators.
He said preparations were under way to receive domestic holidaymakers, Moroccans living abroad and foreign tourists, with accommodation providers working on competitive rates and packages combining overnight stays with leisure activities.
Domestic visitors account for a substantial share of the province’s winter tourist arrivals.
Recalling last winter, Alaoui said heavy snowfall had brought large numbers of visitors to Ifrane, making it the best season in 10 years.
He said the experience had helped tourism professionals deal with busy periods and better manage demand, as they prepared to receive visitors during the coming winter.
