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fortified towns, crossing the Moroccan Atlas
mountains, and the Big South. The tour of
imperial towns comprises visits to Marrakech,
Rabat, Meknes and Fez, as well as a short trip to
Casablanca, the economic capital of the kingdom.
Hiking, horse riding, mountain climbing, paragliding,
hang-gliding and rafting are some of the
activities sought by tourists. Tourism plays a
fundamental part in Morocco's economic and
social growth. It brings foreign currency, provides
jobs and encourages regional development. In fact,
tourism continues to be the second largest source of
foreign currency, after money sent home by
Moroccans living abroad.
motel
SOUAD HASSOUN, MOROCCO
AHMED NAIM, MOROCCO
The North American forerunner of the European
budget hotel, offering inexpensive, `no frills'
accommodation in convenient roadside locations,
motels are characterised by generous
parking provision and informality. Originally
`tourist courts', groups of small individual cabins
providing simple `stopover' accommodation, their
expansion was fuelled by the development of the
interstate highways. Today they are predominantly
franchised units targeting the business
traveller.
motion sickness
KEITH JOHNSON, UK
Motion sickness is caused principally by conflicting
sensory information. The motion usually has a
rhythmic or erratic character. The inner ear
monitors direction of motion. The eyes monitor
where the body is in space �upside down, for
example) and sense of balance or equilibrium. Skin
pressure receptors, such as on the feet, tell the
brain which part of the body is in touch with the
ground. Muscle and joint sensory receptors tell
which part of the body is moving. The central
nervous system processes information from the four
systems. Motion sickness is caused when the brain
receives conflicting stimuli.
In mild cases, symptoms include headache and
general discomfort. If motion continues, abdominal
discomfort, nausea and dry mouth become
acute leading to cold sweating and vomiting. It
may be accompanied by depression and apathy.
Feelings of lethargy may persist for hours after
the motion has ceased. There are many types,
including sea, air, car, train, swing, flight
simulator and space sickness. It can occur during
travel or on rides in an amusement/theme
park. Sickness is most likely to occur due to
turbulence, or travel in a small plane or boat.
Several factors influence susceptibility. Children
under two rarely experience motion sickness.
Children three to twelve years old are the most
susceptible. Females are more susceptible than
males of the same age.
Tourists with a history of motion sickness can
minimise symptoms with prophylactic use of anticholinergics
or antihistamines. These are contraindicated
in pregnancy, and may cause drowsiness,
which will be exacerbated by alcohol. Anticholinergics
suppress sweating and thus are suitable
for use in hot climates. Skin patches worn behind
the ear for up to three days are available.
Symptoms may be alleviated by remaining in the
most stable area of the vehicle, limiting food and
alcohol intake, breathing plenty of fresh air, lying
down or reclining and closing the eyes. Reading
during travel accentuates the problem. If susceptible
passengers sit where they can see the horizon,
close eyes or travel at night, the problem can be
lessened.
Motion sickness can add to a general feeling of
malaise that may be associated with such common
problems as jet lag, climate or altitude change, and
the like. Motion sickness can ruin a tourist's
enjoyment and may also impact on other passengers.
Medical practitioners and biologists interested
in neurophysiology, neurochemical and neuroanatomical
mechanism research this condition. A
number of sites on the Internet exchange
information and treatments.
See also: health
ROBYN BUSHELL, AUSTRALIA