KIM THOMSON talks to TARIK ALAMI, project manager of Morocco Travel Market (MTM)
The show is now in its third year, how has it grown since it’s inception?
It has grown very well, despite the negative impact of the recession, we have more than 30,000 sq m of exhibiting space, a growth of 12 per cent in the number of exhibitors, 70 per cent growth on hosted buyers and 25 per cent growth of participating countries.
Has this growth been from the region or internationally?
This fair is changed and is now an international fair. African and European countries can get to Marrakech within three hours’ flight time and we have good weather which makes the event attractive.
Where are the exhibitors and visitors coming from?
We have 25 countries exhibiting including China, Belgium and other European countries and also African countries such as Gabon and Senegal.
Last year there were more than 10,000 visitors and this year the number topped 12,100, a 12 per cent increase.
I see your hosted buyer programme has increased. Where are they coming from?
Yes, there has been an increase. This year we have more than 400 hosted buyers, most of them from Europe, however, we are very happy that this year we have buyers from the US too. It seems, even with the distance, Americans are looking at Morocco as they want to discover something different from Europe and the US and Morocco, with its history and mix of both African and European culture, is a good destination for the American.
Any Middle Eastern buyers?
Yes from Dubai, Tunisia and some other countries. They love to come here as the culture is very similar and it is not too far.
Would you say the main focus of the show is leisure?
Yes leisure is a main focus as is Africa which is an alternative destination for, say, Europe as it is easy to get to with only three hours’ flying time and it is something completely different!
In the conference this morning, I heard that Morocco had done better in 2009 than ’08. Do you see further signs of recovery this year?
Yes, of course, and this fair is a very good sign of that because of the number of exhibitors coming. It is a good opportunity for people in the tourism industry to try to forget the crisis and try to develop the tourism business.
Have you been able to talk to the exhibitors and get a general idea of how they feel?
Yes, basically all of them are very happy. They have indicated that over the last three years, the fair has become more professional and international.
This year you introduced two new initiative to the event, the Mice and premium pavilions, can you give more details?
These new ideas came from the hosted buyers who asked us to put together the luxury hotels, spas etc in one place. For Mice, this is new trend for this market.