DAY 1 EDITION

I INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I
TOUTES LES
RÉGIONS
DU MAROC
PRÉSENTES À
IFTM
Cette année, ce sont quelque 18
exposants qui sont présents sur le
stand du Maroc à IFTM. L’ensemble
des régions est ainsi représenté à
travers leurs conseils régionaux ou
via les professionnels du tourisme
qui exercent dans ces régions.
“C’est une édition particulière
puisque le Maroc est le pays à
l’honneur du salon IFTM. C’est une
mise en avant dont nous sommes
très fiers et qui souligne le travail
que nous effectuons au quotidien
à l’ONMT pour que le Maroc
reste dans les starting-blocks des
prescripteurs français”, précise
Jihad Chakib.
UNE SOIRÉE
AFTER-TO
SCINTILLANTE
SOUS LA LUMIÈRE
DU MAROC
Organisée en partenariat entre
Maroc, Terre de Lumière et le
Village des Tour-Opérateurs
(TO), la soirée After TO est LE
rendez-vous convivial et festif
des agents de voyages et des
tour-opérateurs. La soirée a lieu
le jeudi 22 septembre à partir de
19h30 sur la péniche Concorde
Atlantique, amarrée en plein cœur
de Paris. Trois étages, cinq espaces
différents, deux terrasses à ciel
ouvert avec une vue imprenable sur
le Grand Palais, le musée d’Orsay,
l’Assemblée Nationale et le pont
Alexandre III : un cadre idéal pour
networker et se détendre ! Et bien
sûr, un open bar, open food, open
champagne et un DJ. La soirée se
fait sur inscription.
“Morocco is much more
than a country to visit, it’s
a place to experience”
Jihad Chakib, Director of the Moroccan National
Tourist Office (ONMT) in France, underlines the
importance of being the country of honour at IFTM
Top Resa 2022 for the destination
Morocco is an important
destination for the French market.
How will this market behave in
2022?
Morocco is effectively the primary
destination for France outside
Europe and we are delighted
about this enthusiasm for our
country. During and after the
health crisis, the ONMT worked
hard to support and secure direct
air connections between both
countries, multiply partnerships
with French tour operators and
travel agents, as well as to launch
a new international campaign
called “Morocco, Kingdom of
Light”.
All of these actions and many
others have already yielded results
and Morocco as a destination
is gradually recovering its 2019
performance levels.
Morocco launched its new
campaign this year. Could you
please tell us more about this?
What effect has the campaign
had on Morocco’s image ? And
what groups is it targeting?
Morroco’s unique light is the
guiding force of the “Morocco-
Kingdom of Light” campaign,
which aims to reveal all of the
treasures the country has to offer.
More than just a country to visit,
Morocco lives through its arts,
dynamic culture and crafts. The
campaign therefore seeks to put
forward the country’s treasures
and affirm its magnificence
through the emphasis of light,
which seduces travellers as soon
as they arrive. Light is therefore
the central theme of ONMT’s
communication, as a source of life
and movement, and a source of
inspiration for many artists.
The campaign aims to position
the country among the world’s
most coveted tourist destinations,
to strengthen its reputation and
attractiveness to the international
public, and reinforce its ‘trendy’
image, especially among members
of the new generation.
It constitutes a turning point in
our communication strategy by
giving it a new lease of life and
addressing in particular a younger,
more dynamic, more connected
audience who demand the
unexpected and for discoveries.
What does this campaign bring to
the trade in France?
The “Morocco - Kingdom of Light”
campaign keeps Morocco in the
mind of French travellers at all
times, triggering a desire to buy/
visit the destination, and thus, win
back our customers and develop
new market shares.
“IFTM TOP
RESA IS (...) AN
ESSENTIAL AND
STRATEGIC
MEETING PLACE
THAT ALLOWS US
TO BE AS CLOSE
AS POSSIBLE
TO OUR
PARTNERS...”
How important is the IFTM Top
Resa show for you?
As you stressed before, “Morocco
is an important destination for
the French market”. It is our first
market and we want to keep our
place as the favourite destination
for French tourists outside Europe.
IFTM Top Resa is therefore an
essential and strategic meeting
place that allows us to be as
close as possible to our partners,
to exhibit our new products
and to ensure the recovery of
our business. Above all, it also
strengthens the links between
Moroccan tourism professionals
and French producers and
sellers
ALL THE REGIONS OF MOROCCO
PRESENT AT IFTM
This year, some 18 exhibitors are present on the
Moroccan stand at IFTM. All the regions are
represented through their regional councils or via
tourism stakeholders who work in these regions. “It is
a special edition this year as Morocco is the country of
honour at IFTM. We are very proud of this honour and
it underlines the work we do on a daily basis at the
ONMT to ensure that Morocco remains in the starting
blocks of French travel providers”, tells Jihad Chakib.
A SPARKLING AFTER-PARTY UNDER
THE LIGHT OF MOROCCO
Organised in partnership with Morroco -Kingdom of Light and the Village
des TO, the After-TO party is the cheerful and festive meeting for travel
agents and Tour-Operators. This event takes place from 7.30pm on
Thursday September 22, on the Concorde Atlantique barge in the heart
of Paris. Three floors, five different spaces, two open-air terraces with a
breathtaking view of the Grand Palais, the Musée d’Orsay, the Assemblée
Nationale and the Pont Alexandre III: an ideal and optimal setting for
networking and relaxing! Of course, there will be an Open Bar, Open Food,
Open Champagne and a DJ. Registration is compulsory.
IFTM DAILY • MARDI/TUESDAY 20 SEPT. 2022 15