Among the niches that contribute to seriously develop tourism, y du Golf in the niche. Many countries have understood this for years and have invested seriously in the implementation of golf course, particularly in tourist destinations, seaside. This is the case for the Canaries, for Portugal, for Turkey, for example.
Morocco has made in this direction, most recently, with existing and future golf courses in the first national tourism destination, Marrakech. This is true also of the resort destination Agadir which has just experienced the opening of its fourth golf. For a golfing destination is really, it takes at least six eight golf courses. Marrakech with its six existing and four golf courses in progress, going in the right direction. Agadir is undoubtedly follow.
Having said that golf courses can not be profitable unless they are accompanied by the air from point to point, it takes. Golfers love to travel, play in several golf, but do, also with good air connections. Courses golfing holidays are becoming more and more ground. Longer stays are more or less the rule, especially for European golfers who come to us (English, Irish, German, French, Belgian). Indeed, during the winter season, all golf courses in Europe are closed, because of bad weather, rain and snow. The European golfers fall back on for years on Portugal and the Canary.
Morocco in a party receives, but just as much as other golf destinations. The niche of golf needs a big promotion targeted but also with widespread interests in both specialized exhibitions of golf but also in other rooms.
The case of the ITB in Berlin, WTM in London or in Paris Top Resa, to mention only these major international tourism fairs, not knowing about a promotional golf from MNTO and interested professionals. But to brand golf in Morocco, we need an advertising or at least of good communication, about it, at international fairs. The ONMT decreed " 2011, Year of Golf in Agadir ". It's good but it has to be materialized by a massive promotional work.
At the 45 th edition of the ITB, we did not see promotion, advertising or let alone any communication on this subject. It must be said that the side of golf courses in Agadir, nothing is done either. But a good dialogue between the ONMT and owners of golf courses could lead to identify a good promotional work. This has not been done and that's a shame.
Because instead of engaging in a competitive pricing (green fees), golf courses in Agadir, including three major golf commercial, should work together to make a good promotion of Agadir, as a new golf destination, which can serve them. It is unfortunate that the tourism industry have not yet grasped the importance of the example of the Coalition of TO. Other jobs in tourism, the case of golf here, should be followed by the creation of a network of golf that can at least take care of promoting golf, where needed and as they should. Would benefit all. Agadir should not only adopt this approach but also golf courses in Marrakech. Individual golf courses can not afford a good promotion for both targeted and effective. But with a dynamic group of feasible and realizable property. Knowing that golfers love to play in several courses at once, one can even envisage a sort of central reservation of golf courses in Marrakech, Essaouira and Agadir.
The road infrastructure between Marrakesh and Essaouira permits, as also the highway Agadir Marrakech. It is high as interested professionals organize themselves to take advantage of this windfall European golf which only grow from year to year, face a tough competition, also. And more golfers are loyal customers who accused a fair rate of return when they find the hotel services and they are looking for golf. Golfers are also good customers, spending more than others. Word of mouth is much more practiced golfers within. Yes morality for good golfing infrastructure. Yes to diverse golf competitions are spread throughout the year.
But especially so for a good promotion that golf is the basis for developing this tourism niche high value. For proof one needs to turn towards the Canary Islands, Lighthouse au Portugal and Antalya in Turkey.
Mohamed RIAL L’opinion
