Ouarzazte is stituated in south of morooco, and administrtively belongs to the region of sous_massa_draa. It covers an area of more than 19464 square kilometers.

It’s population rises to 500.000 most of the citizens in ouarzazate work as peasons;carfts-men and employers.ouarzazate’s economy mostly depends on agriculture and tourism.but,we shall facus on the latter.so,what are the historical mounement’s,that ouarzazate is famous for ? are there any stong touristic infrastructures , what about the number of vistors? Is it high or low? Finaly,we will shed light on the problems which tourism in ouarzazate suffers from.

          II.      Ouarzazate:general description

1)     Geographical and historical information:

·    geographically;ouarzazate is situated in south of morooco.

          It’s is bordered by for major cities:marrakesh and azilal; rachidia; zagora,taroudante.

-marrakesh and azilal fin the north.

- rachidia                       fin the east.

-zagora                        fin the south.

-taroudante                  fin the weast.

historically, it’s founded in march 20 th ; 1956

                 2)population

the population in ouarzazate  vises to 500.000 compared to 433072 in 1994. most of the people live in rural areas. The majority of them work as crafts-men; peasons and employers. They depend a great deal on agriculture and tourism. Recently,ouarzazate has been targeted by many foreigners (not original inhabitants).

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The reason bebind that is the fast that ouarzazate is a young city inother way,it provides it’s citizens with  freshair ,calm , seducing and healthy weather and so on.

       III.      Tourism in ouarzazate:

Ouarzazate is a primary destination owing to it’s handicraft, film studios as well as to the  marvellons sourrounding kasbahs. It cantains so many attractive historical mounements for instance OLD kasbahs such as kasbah of tourirt,kasbah of ait ben haddou,kasbah of tifoultout  and so on and so forther. The number of the kasbahs is about one tousand. Besides , ouarzazate is well known for it’s high and beautiful mountains. The most importent mountain is calle “les gorges”in tinghir.

As far as touristic infrastructures are concerned, ouarzazate consists of many hotels and clubs. Most of the hotels are five stars for instance “Belair”,”dar Salam”,”Mediteranian”etc. They are of high quality and they recieve thousand of tourists every year. What realy make them attractive is that they are made of  clay and they are highy oruanented . besides,these hotels are well equiped. for sure you will feel the real hospitality.

Anothe strong point that can be added to all what we have montioned is “music” threr is geat variety of  music. The most dominant type is “AHWASH”, is an ”Amazigh” term used to describe a type of  music which mixus between singing and dancing.the people who master this type of music use diffrent musical instruments. These instruments are locally made and they represent a part of moroccan cultre.

                                          It is realy an attracting and entertaining music.

     IV.      problems of tourism in ouarzazate:

Tourisim in ouarzazate is suffering from many serious problems. The most obvious one is the absenc of the governement’s support. According to some responsibles;”ouarzazate recives no support and aid”.

Consequently, infrastructures recieve no care. Another problem is related to roads. Probably all the roads in ouarzazate are weak. People , especially tourists, complain about the low quality of  roads.

        V.      conclusion:

although tourism in ouarzazate suffers from serious and risky problems, the city remains powerful for its incredible hospitality and famons historical mounements. For many decades ouarzazate has been the destination of many world eminent film makess “Gladiator” as an exemple was produced in ouarzzazate. It was awarded may oscar praises as well as to may millions of dollors that it made.

To cut short the governement and all the responsibles of tourism in ouarzazate should devote enouyh budget to protect and save all the historical mounements in ouarzazate. They have also to make the citizens aware of the importance of tourism sector. Which contributes to the developement of both the area and the country.

                                                             by madi yassine