Microsoft Word Journal of policy research

Figure 3. Evolution of tourists in Morocco. Phases of tourism policy 
0
2.000.000
4.000.000
6.000.000
8.000.000
10.000.000
12.000.000
1960
1963
1966
1969
1972
1975
1978
1981
1991
1994
1997
2000
2003
2006
2009
2012
2015
Source: Hillali, 2007a, (1960-1980), UNWTO (1981-2015) 
Int. T
our
is
ts
(
m
illions
)
Pre-Fordist phase
Elite tourism
Mass tourism
In 1965 the Triennial Social and Economic Development Plan was approved, making a somewhat more 
determined commitment to tourism (Table 2). Tourism was given various ‘classic’ functions such as obtaining 
foreign currency to fund development schemes, creating jobs, raising local saving and attracting foreign 
investment. In theory the government intended tourism to be not just an auxiliary sector, useful for balancing 
payments, but also an industry that would play a key role in development; in 1965 a Ministry of Tourism was 
even created in order to facilitate the process. In practice, the bulk of public investment continued to go to 
agriculture, water infrastructure and the training of technical staff. Furthermore, this Plan resulted in a plethora 
of public bodies related to tourism that in fact hindered the process and increased the power of “the Madjen”.
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The Triennial Plan created a number of regional development figures, earmarking Priority Planning 
Zones (ZAP). For their implementation, the areas with the most significant tourism resources, located in 
disadvantaged parts of the north (Tangier, Al Hoceima and the Tetouan coast) and south (Agadir and the 
Ouarzazate-Errachidia axis), were selected. Initially, state intervention was considerable, as evidenced by the 
fact that government subsidised 95% of the bed places created in the ZAPs in the north (Hillali, 2007a). The 
economic adjustment programme of the 90s and the high deficit accumulated by these bodies resulted in their 
closure and privatisation in that decade.
To improve and expand the tourism accommodation supply, the state promoted the creation of state-run 
accommodation. Management of it was entrusted to various public and semi-public bodies, including the 
Moroccan National Tourist Board (ONMT), the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG), the Moroccan Society 
for Tourism Development (SOMADET), Maroc-Tourist, etc. (El Haddadi, 2010). The ONMT was responsible 
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The country’s ruling elite

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for various tasks like promoting tourism and organising travel, intervening very directly in creating tourism 
accommodation. In 1976 it came to manage 20 tourism establishments with 4,526 beds, forming the Morocco’s 
first hotel chain. Many of these hotels and villas were later privatised. The CDG was a national investment 
company that centred its activity on building in the country’s least developed areas. The Figure 4 shows the 
major factors of tourism policy model of the Fordist phase. 
Figure 4. Tourism policy model in Pre-fordist phase