The support program for the renovation of rural establishments is entering its implementation phase. The grants committee gives its final approval to 13 candidate structures located in the rural areas of the prefectures and provinces of Souss Massa.
The Agadir destination is in the process of strengthening its ecotourism offer. The support program for the renovation and upgrading of tourist accommodation establishments located in the hinterland of the region is underway. At the last meeting of the grants committee, thirteen institutions obtained a definitive agreement without reservations. The overall cost of renovating and upgrading these structures is more than 13 MDH and the amount of the subsidy is around 5 MDH, it is indicated in a press release from the Regional Tourism Development Company (SDR Tourisme Souss Massa). Thus, the operation will benefit a total capacity of approximately 500 beds, falling within the prefectures and provinces of Agadir Ida Outannane, Chtouka Ait Baha, Tiznit and Taroudant.
As a reminder, the budget reserved for this support program, for the years 2021 and 2022, is 10 MDH financed by the Regional Council. The amount of the subsidy is 50% of the total cost of the renovation capped at 400,000 DH. Added to this is technical support for candidates and the carrying out of all studies and services to make the renovation project carried out by the SDR Tourisme Souss Massa a reality. Beneficiaries of the subsidy also have the possibility of accessing honor loans, granted by Souss Massa Initiative, up to 25% of the investment cost.
The main objective of the mechanism for granting this subsidy is to revitalize and support investment in the tourism sector with a view to improving the competitiveness of the region’s tourist offer, underline the holders of the program.
It should be noted that the region has 305 rural tourist accommodation establishments, with an overall capacity of 3,000 beds. The number of jobs generated by these establishments is estimated at 1,000 positions. As a reminder, almost fifteen years ago this niche benefited from the tourism micro-enterprise development programme, implemented by the Regional Council.
10,000 beds to be renovated
The operation had aroused enthusiasm on the part of project promoters and had given rise to several structures in the hinterland. Today, it is a question of improving the quality of the tourist offer in rural areas and encouraging new investments, so as to support the growing demand for contact with nature and areas to less concentration of populations to ventilate.
It should be noted that a similar support program is already operational in urban areas for hotels in the seaside resort.
For now, the first beneficiaries, twelve in number, have already started their renovation work. It should be noted that of the 10,000 beds to be renovated in the seaside resort, this pilot program will only be able to target around 5,000 beds, according to a diagnosis carried out by the Regional Association of the Hotel Industry. In the destination, a large number of beds in need of renovation thus preventing establishments from applying for the program, due to financial difficulties. In the Talborjt district where a hotel has been selected and is now benefiting from the grant for a facelift, more than 64.29% of owners say they plan to renovate their units. This is explained by the fact that more than 50% of establishments in the locality are almost 50 years old.
But according to the results of an institutional study carried out within the framework of this program, it appears that these units also need support, particularly in the areas of training, promotion and marketing.
A new AMI is launched
Today, a 2nd call for expressions of interest (AMI) was launched by SDR Tourisme as part of this support program for the renovation and upgrading of tourist accommodation establishments in rural areas. The deadline for submitting application files runs until December 2, 2022. As for the first AMI, are eligible for this subsidy, natural or legal persons under Moroccan law presenting a renovation program for a tourist accommodation establishment and fulfilling certain conditions. In addition to being an authorized establishment, classified or in the process of being classified, the structure must be in operation, continuously or discontinuously, for at least two years and in a regular situation vis-à-vis the tax authorities. and the CNSS. The applicant establishment must also not be the subject of any legal reorganization or liquidation proceedings. It must also present an integrated upgrading program, to be carried out within a maximum period of two years.