Souss Atlantic Sahara

The Souss Atlantic Sahara territory is located in the south of the country. It is bounded to the south by the Southern Atlantic territory, to the east by Mauritania and Algeria to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the north by the Marrakech Atlantic territory and northeast by the Atlas valleys territory. It covers an area of approximately 339,915 km², which represents 34% of the national territory.

Delimitation of Souss Sahara Atlantic
Souss Atlantic Sahara consists of two prefectures and twelve provinces:
Prefectures:

• Agadir Ida Outanane
• Inezgane Ait Melloul

Provinces :

• Chtouka Ait Baha
• Tiznit
• Taroudant
• Boujdour
• Es Smara
• Laayoune
• Guelmim
• Assa Zag
• Tata
• Sidi Ifni
• Tan Tan
• Tarfaya

The territory location
Spearheading the growth of Moroccan seaside, Souss Atlantic Sahara is a territory based on the covenant of an everlasting summer and the wealth of a hinterland to discover. It encompasses three sites close geographically that have a complementary tourism products:
• Agadir & Surroundings : Sun, fun and beaches
• Tafraoute & Oasis : Adventure land
• Guelmim – Tan-Tan : pure seaside
The territory combines sea, desert and nature. The development of cultural activities in the form of short trips, strengthen the cultural and ecological aspects of the destination. The success of tourism development of the territory will be based on the success of several concurrent initiatives: the consolidation and the rise of Agadir, the development of niche activities throughout the territory (sports, wellness and adventure in the desert) the implementation and marketing of a wider and more competitive offer for families, and the strengthening and enhancement of the cultural offer.

Territory’s resources
Stretching from south of the High Atlas to the Western Sahara, the vast territory has a wide variety of natural resources, it draws from its diverse geographic settings: its coastline of over 700 kilometers long, home to many exceptional beaches and attractive resorts such as Agadir; its hinterland formed plains, caves, oasis and palm groves. In addition of this unique natural environment a wealth of cultural resources, with many historical and archaeological sites, kasbahs, souks, ramparts and the medina, some of which are among the leading tourist and cultural sites of the Kingdom at an international level.

Site Ressources Types of potential tourism
Agadir Beach of Tifnit (Tifnit Station)
Beaches and coves
Beaches of Agadir (Sunset beach, Palm beach)
Agadir’s port Seaside and sporting
Seaside and sporting
Seaside and sporting
Cultural
Tafraoute et oasis Aït Mansour Gorges Eco-tourism and adventure
Guelmim –
Tan Tan White beach and coastal areas (Seaside station)
Touristic station of Oued Chbika Eco-tourism
Desert/Oasis

Goals for 2020

• 3.9 million tourist arrivals (against 1.2 million in 2010)

• Additional bedding capacity of 75,000 beds to reach 109,700 beds (hotel and similar)

• Creation of 117,400 direct jobs
8,550 million DHs in tourism revenue (against 8.020 million dirhams in 2010)
Ambition of territorial development

• The repositioning of the existing offer and the creation of a new generation of resort complex including White Beach, the largest integrated resort in Morocco, and a new eco-resort in Tarfaya.

• Souss Sahara Atlantic will be the destination for 'leisure and fun under the sun ", with great animation products (Leisure City in Agadir, Water parks in Guelmim) and a rich events calendar.

• The valorization of the hinterland's heritage and its prior implementation: rural activities in Tafraout, Imouzzer Ida Outanane ..., authentic accommodation, creation of cultural facilities (museums, visitor centers).
Clients

The expected customer base in this area is composed of three segments:

a. Active families are families seeking a balance between relaxation and suitable activities for all family members, in a rather seaside environment, and attach importance to the quality of accommodation.

b. Families looking for relaxation are families with children looking for a relaxing moment, strongly attracted by the seaside and few applicants for cultural activities. Despite a high stress level in the budget, these travelers attach great importance to the choice of the hotel and the comfort of the rooms

c. Young people looking for relaxation are home-loving young people who have a strong preference for seaside - relaxation, avoiding cultural activities, and who prefer the classic and familiar destinations.