By Ajableu Oldham

Rabat - A Westerner traveling to Morocco may be disappointed by the lack of sufficient information on what to wear in Morocco.

Travel guides tend to be rather vague in their descriptions of appropriate dress, and fashion authorities, such as The Zoe Report, tend to present dramatic editorials that offer little practical guidance.

Understanding what to wear will greatly impact your experience in Morocco because it affects how Moroccans may treat you. This guide will help a traveler decide what to wear and how to dress during his or her time in Morocco.

Morocco is a conservative nation with 99% of its population identifying as Muslims. Therefore, the first rule to dressing in Morocco is to respect Islam’s emphasis on modesty. Clothes and accessories are not meant to attract attention or excessively reveal the body. Women should ensure that their clothes do not expose the décolletage, shoulders, or thighs. This same principal applies to menswear.

Furthermore, because of Islam’s emphasis on modesty, brand names are not often seen on Moroccan streets. Most households tend to live prudently, and value giving to the community over materialism. So unless you want to attract attention, it’s best to limit the display of ostentatious jewelry, luxury handbags, and high-end electronics.

A woman traveling to Morocco should wear long skirts and dresses, jeans or pants that cover the knees, draping tunics, polo shirts, and camisoles that can be worn under sweaters and cardigans. Women generally wear sandals or loafers; rarely do they wear heels. I’ve noticed that in Rabat, women who wear jeans tend to wear a top that is long enough to cover their rear.

In general, men should wear long pants with a shirt, ideally a collared one. Men can wear sandals, loafers, or sneakers - whatever is appropriate for the context of the visit. While some boys and young men wear shorts in public, it is less common, particularly among adult men.

Morocco is sweltering in the summer months; however, it’s still necessary to cover the shoulders and legs. For women, a loose maxi dress with a light sweater or scarf over the shoulders is a brilliant way to stay cool and blend in with women who wear jabadors and kaftans.

It’s not necessary for non-Muslim women to wear a hijab, or a veil that conceals a woman’s hair. Moroccan women choose for themselves whether or not they wish to cover, and this decision is largely based on religious motivations.

Some Western women do attract attention, particularly women with light or dyed hair. A blond expatriate friend of mine says that, rather than covering her hair and face, she wears a faux engagement ring, which works as an effective deterrent from unsolicited attention.

As an American expatriate, I find it important to strike a balance between what is authentic for my own Western heritage and what is appropriate for Moroccan society. As such, I feel most comfortable in classic American attire: crisp dark blue jeans, a cotton long-sleeve blouse rolled up to the elbows, and a pair of comfortable sandals or flats. This ensemble allows me to express who I am while following cultural mores.

For any woman staying in Morocco for more than a month, I do recommend that you purchase a jilaba in your favorite fabric and color. It’s quite comfortable, can be worn virtually anywhere that is casual, and allows you to blend in with the culture.

Casablanca - Morocco’s economic capital is affected by the constant rise of living standards according to city rankings published by Mercer for 2014.

According to a recent study released by the consulting company, Mercer, the costs of living in Casablanca is increasing each year, turning it into one of the most expensive cities for expatriates.

As a result of the increasing costs of living, residents of Casablanca are forced to live under high living standards that even overcome cities like Boston, capital of and largest city in the state of Massachusetts in the United States.

According to a release published by Mercer, the survey is “ designed to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees. New York is used as the base city, and all cities are compared against it. Currency movements are measured against the US dollar.”

The Mercer study included 211 cities around the world.  Mercer ranks Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, as the 107th most expensive city in the world.

Mercer compared the cost of over 200 goods and services, including housing, transport, food, clothing, and leisure activities in each of the 211 cities listed on its website.

The survey is intended to support the efforts of governments and companies to respond to the international financial crisis.

While the high cost of living in developing countries, such as Morocco, may seem surprising, the main source of the increases in the cost of living is the constant consumption of products from abroad, leaving most Moroccan citizens on a tight budget, due to the purchase of high-quality products.

Edited by Elisabeth Myers

By Amelia Verona

London - With its breathtaking scenery, rich artistic and musical legacy, maze-like markets and many more, it is little wonder that Morocco is among the most sought-after destinations not only in Africa but the whole world. It welcomes many tourists during the year.

Traversing the country's length and breadth is not a simple task. However, one way through which you are going to view this exotic crossroads between the Mediterranean and sub-Sahara Africa is through taking a road trip. The car allows you the benefit of visiting places normally inaccessible by train.

Getting the Car In the majority of main cities like Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangiers, there are numerous selections of both international and local car rental agencies. Shop around prior to deciding on the best one that's going to suit your budget and the length of the trip.

When you require staying on the paved and main highways, a standard or economy size automobile is enough. The price varies depending on whether you need air conditioning, automatic transmission or 4WD. Inspect the car first. You should possess a valid driving license as well as meeting driving minimum age.

Getting Around

Buying a good road map is recommended before you arrive. You may find yourself in the region without sign posts. Also note that teetering donkey carts, unmarked dirt tracks and speeding motorcyclists are going to put your driving experience to test.

Choosing the Route

When getting to the edge of Sahara is among your mission, an 8-day return trip to Merzouga so as to experience the remarkable Erg Chebbi is a must. There are many car rental options to start your trip from Casablanca.

After leaving Casablanca, take Marrakech-Casablanca expressway, past marabouts' (saints) tombs, and gathering palms into Marrakech. It may take some 4 hours to steer through the switchbacks on Tizi n Tichka pass, on High Atlas road on your way to Ouarzazate.

You will go to Todra and Dad's Valleys. Nearly 100 kilometers south of Dad's, you are going to pass by Saharan towns of Erfoud and Rissani and arrive at Merzouga's Erg Chebbi. When returning, pass through the Middle Atlas to alpine village called Ifrane. This is a predominately European-style town that' snestled among oak and cedar. You should continue with your road trip to Fes, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco.

In this place, you are going to uncover both the old and new medina (town), which is another UNESCO World Heritage site. The high and narrow passageways that are full of donkey-driven carts, covert cafes, shouting traders, bemused tourists, and local shoppers are a sight that's a must to be experienced. When the dusk settles on Fes, you should climb the hill outside the old town in order to listen to the wave of muezzins as they echo the call to prayer from numerous minarets surrounding the city.

Morocco is an exciting place to visit. It has a rich culture and some amazing scenery. Making a trip to the countryside is also an exciting experience, for one is bound to see so many idyllic places, and you also immerse in its beautiful culture.

Amelia Verona is a Passionate blogger. As an avid reader and blogger she shares her experience through her articles on Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, Food, Travel, Fashion, Reviews (Book/Movie) and Well-being. Presently she works on behalf of Australian visa.

By Jaouad Radouani

Tangier - This story takes place in Tangier in the city of Arousat Shamal or “Bride of the North,” in Moroccan local Arabic.

In this story, which is nothing less than truth, the author and hero of this marvellous tale will shortly relate the incidents of his intrepid trip from a small village to a city of wonders, for the first time in his life, in a decaying bus through timorous mountains of Jebala.

As you may have guessed, I am the author of this tale. But before I begin narrating the ‘remnants’ of my prodigious journey, I would like to give a word about myself and the circumstances that took me to Tangier in the first place. I am originally from Midar, a Rif village in the heart of magnificent Rif mountains in the Beni Touzin region. Many people from the Rif actually quite like Tangier and visit it regularly and some even leave their motherland for a life-stay in this fascinating city. Thus, Tangier becomes a famous Terra Incognita for a Rif individual who, by nature, desires to pay it a visit one day or settle down there if life conditions allow.

The circumstances surrounding my trip began on July 6^th 1999 when I received a letter from Fahd Ibn Abdelaziz School of Translation inviting me to sit for entry exams. The letter stated that the exams will be held on July 17^th and 18^th and that everybody should be there, right in the school’s administration terrace, at half past eight, accompanied with all necessary documents including my identity card, the letter of invitation, and a copy of the Diplome d’Etudes Univesritaires Génèrales. Tangier was calling me from afar.

After I received the letter and carefully studied the included instructions, I began packing for the journey.  I really felt, then, an urging to go discover the city no matter the obstacles I might face. Therefore, I decided to seize the opportunity and go discover the city and learn about it in addition to sitting for the exam. I asked my brother for money. And although he said he didn’t have any at the time, he would secure for me a ‘go-sum’ but not a back-one. I waited some days. Finally, he handed me a bill of MAD 100. Thanking him, I put the brown money-bill in my pocket and deeply exhaled. The final and most important travel arrangement was fixed. “I am finally, I am going to Tangier,” I said.

July 17^th that year happened to be a Tuesday. The day before, I woke up at 5:00am, picked up my bag and walked out of the house through a back door so that I wouldn’t wake anyone up. On my way to the bus station, I met a friend who had been to Tangier many times before visiting a sister who lived there. He picked me up from ‘bab sbitar’ in his dad’s car, which he was unusually riding that morning, and suggested we have breakfast together at Hitler’s café before I left. After about an hour spent in the café, he drove me to the bus station. We waited together in the car and listened to midi1 radio, while he talked about many places in Tangier including names of streets and neighbourhoods, markets, souks, the language of ‘jebala’ and all that may seem exotic to a newcomer to the city. In fact, the more he talked about ‘Tanja’ the more I grew eager to see it.

At 6:45 the bus arrived, I bid my friend goodbye and I vanished into the old bus. The moment I put my feet in this decaying piece of a lorry, the ‘chauffeur,’ a ‘tanjaoui’ in both looks and accent, asked me for my destination.

“Tanja.” I replied in a wavering voice.

“Ok,” he said. “Find a seat and sit down. There is no reason to hurry. Tanja Mazala Baida w Trik Twila (Tangier is still far and the way is too long).”

I did not answer him back as it was morning and I had no will to engage in unnecessary talks. I found myself a seat next to a man whose destination I would later discover was Alhoceima.

This trip to Tangier was the first long journey I ever had. On the way, I constantly tried to close my eyes and sleep in an attempt to avoid long times of waiting, the sound of the roaring engine, and gloomy forests and mountains. But, each time I woke up, I would still find myself on the bus with the engine still moaning faint sounds that would obscurely fade into the long, curved, and never-ending cracked roads. I felt very tired and began to think of Tangier as a remote place not worth the troublesome trip. I kept reminding myself that once in ‘Tanja,’ it would be worth the trouble.

After a long shaky day, the bus entered Tetouan’s bus station to drop off some passengers. As I was not well acquainted with the road, I asked someone about how far from Tangier we were and learned it was about an hour journey. At Al-Maghreb prayers, the bus finally made it way inside Tangier towards the station. At first sight, Tangier’s beauty seemed heavenly. I never imagined such a beautiful city could exist some four hundred kilometres North from my hometown. Tangier, I found, was a two-world’s-city. A modest town combining the aspects of a western developed polis with a peculiar traditional eastern part of the world.

Out of the bus station, the town seemed different. I saw a mosque with purely Eastern architecture . I later on learned the mosque’s name was Masjid Souryin. A couple of blue Taxis were queuing by the side of the street right in front of the door of Al-Mahatta (the bus station). The taxi drivers were busily speaking a different Arabic from than I was familiar. I waved to one of them.

“Fain A khay (Where to, pal?)” he replied.

“Dini Lemdina,’ cinema Mauretania badapt (take me to Lemdina, right to Cinema Mauritania).” I said.

As we made our way, many things around gave me the impression I was no longer in Morocco. Although I recognized the city that I was in Tangier (with many signs to prove it), I couldn’t beleive such a beautiful city existed on Moroccan soil.    Tangier is another world with different people, culture, weather and atmosphere. I finally understood why they gave it the name ‘Arousat Ashamal.’ I even said to myself “Indeed, ‘àroussa Hia’ and so a bride should be.” Everything along the boulevard had Western characteristics including the streets, bazaars, cafés, shops, and people … a disguised Moroccan city it seemed. Geography was eastern but the atmosphere looked purely western.

Once we arrived, I paid the Taxi driver and found myself near a small shop of a Soussi selling ‘Zeriàa.’ I decided to ask him about the right place to go. As I got closer to the small shop, I nodded my head in a humble salamou alaikoum and asked the coloured boy about a certain billiard named Milano. He, with a Moroccan willingness and readiness to help a lost visitor, answered in his untainted Soussi accent “Lhiha kdamek, hadik li enface” meaning “there, the place right in front of you.”

Once in front of a huge open door, I heard throbbing sounds of music. I followed them down a few stairs to a room full of snooker and billiard tables. There were crowds of young boys and girls busy playing games in a half dark milieu. The mingled smell of rot, alcohol, cleaning products, and cigarette smoke filled the air. Once down, I studied their faces trying to recognise my cousin; however, their pictures did not match with the who I was looking for. I leaned on the counter and asked a slim girl serving coffee and lemonade whether she knew Rachid Riffi. She indifferently answered that he will be back in a few minutes and moved away toward a couple of young men in a dark corner of the underground large room.

While busy reminiscing some cherished feelings of home, the cousin I was looking for suddenly appeared wearing a khaki suit and holding a Marlboro cigarette in his hand. He expressed deep feelings of happiness to see me and warmly received me with a fresh hug. He insisted on the spot that we should go have coffee in a nice place around the corner. Later that night, he switched off the lights of the billiard, closed the big door, and we walked to his house in Dradeb. There I met his humble wife and two cute daughters who spoke perfect Darija in impeccable Jebli accent. After we had a delicious dinner, he suggested he would take me to see beautiful places in Tangier the next day. I liked the idea and humbly acquiesced but then I immediately remembered that I had to sit for entry exams in Fahd Institute. I told him so and he wished me good luck and said he would take me the day after.

The day of the tour, we started from Dradeb and took a long trip through wide avenues and narrow paths through the marvellous city. Here, I discovered another face of Tangier, this city that keeps unfolding in front of my eyes in very ambivalent faces. I discovered a purely traditional world living in complete harmony with another far developed modern one. I saw different small and beautiful places I never thought could come together combined in one city. Traditional neighbourhoods leading through narrow paths to huge postmodern streets, avenues, flats, shops, cafés, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. The city’s general atmosphere, joyful and sunny, but never hot, gave me more power to keep moving and seeing. I walked for about four hours on feet before we stopped at a café for a cup of Atai khdar or “green tea,” as they call it.

The moment I sat in the café chair and asked for tea and water, my mind raced with images of a haunting city I never knew existed. In fact, I thought and said to my cousin, “Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakkesh, Agadir… are beautiful cities, but Tangier was a one of a kind city.” He answered immediately and said, “yes, you’re right” and added “now you can understand why I could not go back home.” He stated that he fell in love with this part of the world and could not leave it, just like Mohammed Shoukri’s narrator of his famous story ’Lkhobz Lhafi.’

There is something charming and attractive in Tangier. I can not say what it is exactly, but I can feel, now that many years passed, that Tangier is a great Mediterranean city that shelters everybody and welcomes all with no distinction. It is a melting pot where nationalities, cultures, and races of different kinds meet and peacefully lead a dream-like life.

My fourth-night, I got lost in this platonic city. I tirelessly walked and got lost in shining streets and narrow dark paths. I ate cheap ‘bisara’ bowls and drank tea whenever I got tired. I found Tangier to be a magical city where whatever one could want can be easily found. The city is neither wide nor dispersed. Everything in it is closely at hand.

It is two worlds forming a wonderful Nirvana.  It is a place where the East meets West. The modern face of the city feels like Los Angeles. The traditional face has a traditional eastern Islamic feel with all its aspects of life. Tangier oscillates between two limits of a pendulum representing the edges of a modern world and a traditional one. These two worlds are not separated from each other in Tangier; they live together in complete harmony and make the past, present, and the future of this marvellous city. When in Tangier, one never knows when he will shift from modernity to tradition. You can be on the boulevard (which represents a 21^st century view), by the French embassy or be lead to ‘Souk Dbarra,’ - a traditional market zone ornamented with very ancient colonial mansions and local traditional views. Modernity and traditionalism echo in Tangier, the city that shelters the world.

Race, ethnicity, language, colour and social status vanish in Tangier. The poor and the rich live together in mutual love and harmony. Intellectuals and mere craftsmen sip tea and drink coffee in the same cafés, terraces, street pavements, and roam the same neighbourhoods and boulevards. Everybody is given an opportunity to live in ‘Tingis,’ as the Romans named it, in a peaceful modern and traditional life at the same time. The city organizes itself, distributes roles, and each knows by mere intuition and social level his rights, limits, and possibilities.

When I returned home, I continuously think of Tangier as a place of beauty, love, and warm tranquil living. A place where two worlds come together in full harmony and alliance. Moreover, as an ex-visitor to Tangier on an adventurous trip, I now understand better why famous world intellectuals, authors, artists, and politicians fall in love with it and decide to never leave it. As a Moroccan traveller who saw Tangier for the first time, I myself was held by the beauty of this city. It’s cultural, social, and economic “ambivalence” gave it the charm to be considered an international zone where two worlds, two civilisations, two cultures, meet, interweave, and peacefully live together.

Morocco’s interior traditional and cultural heritage, as well as its modern and postmodern face can be found in Tangier. This is a city that combines two great seas and two great worlds in one artistic city.

Edited by Sigalle Barness

Fez - American television reality star Khloe Kardashian said that she is abstaining from having sexual intercourse during Ramadan, out of respect for the Islamic views of her Moroccan-American boyfriend, French Montana, according to Daily Mail.

Khloe Kardashian, who has been dating Moroccan-American rapper French Montana since last April, admits she and her boyfriend are abstaining from getting physical in the bedroom during the month of Ramadan out of respect for the Islamic faith.

“There’s no sex during Ramadan,” she told Power 105, jokingly adding, “That’s so fun.”

French Montana also revealed that he is observing Ramadan for the rest of this month and that he is fasting and currently abstaining from alcohol, as per the requirements of his faith.

The young couple appeared in their first interview together on Thursday, and they openly discussed their personal life.

Khloe Kardashian revealed to me that she’s suffering from this fast too.

“No sex. [It’s] so fun (said sarcastically). That’s why he’s wearing all white. He’s so pure and holy. … He’s virginal,” she said, laughing.

She went on to add that she has “been torturing him. Every single day.”

Meanwhile, French Montana has been the subject of ongoing rumors and criticism. Recently, it was rumored that Khloe’s family is very skeptical of the Moroccan-born rapper. Some US magazines claimed that her family made bad remarks about him saying that he was only dating Khloe for the fame.

"People are going to comment no matter what. If I dated the most clean cut perfect guy, they’re going to comment. That’s just the way it is. If I’m having fun and if I like this kid, no one else should care, they’re not f****g him,” Khloe said with a laugh, adding, “Or maybe they are, I don’t know.”

French Montana, originally named Karim Kharbouch, was born in Morocco on November 9, 1984. He is a rapper and CEO of Cocaine City Records. He grew up in Morocco, where he enjoyed football and rapping.

Khloe and the rapper began dating in December 2013. The couple were spotted together everywhere, from Miami to South Africa, until they made their romance public in Toronto, where the couple co-hosted the official after-party for the Much music Video Awards.

Rabat - Many tourists are under the assumption that it's not necessary to tip in Morocco. Unfortunately, it is quite common for Westerners to leave no gratuity for the service men and women who have assisted them.

While tipping in Morocco is not exactly mandatory, leaving gratuity for a cab driver or service worker demonstrates respect and generosity for the service that was offered. Think of it as a tangible, "Thank you." To not say thank you would be rude, particularly if a service worker worked hard to assist you.

Unskilled workers make approximately 5 dirhams per hour without the benefits of social security. Gratuity helps men and women who work in service­-related fields supplement their income. At the end of the day, a few extra dirhams earned from tips can truly make a difference for someone who is working to support a family.

As a general guideline, if you're enjoying a drink at a cafe, it's polite to leave 1 or 2 dirhams per customer, particularly in touristic restaurants. While the practice is not compulsory, leaving gratuity does show respect.

If you are accepting a service, it's respectful to demonstrate gratitude. In Morocco, sometimes this gratitude takes the form of a simple thank you; other times, this takes the form of gratuity. While there are no hard and fast rules about tipping, a few dirhams will generally suffice.

So, if you are a tourist, the next time you enjoy coffee at a cafe, be sure to say thank you.

© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed

Fez - Morocco’s beauty is on a mission! Miss Morocco, Safaa Taouch has been selected to represent the Arab World at the 4th edition of Miss Humanity International 2014, scheduled August 17-27 in Barbados.

24-year-old Safaa Taouch is not only a pretty face. She is an advocate of humanitarian causes and is aware that beauty is power and she is using it for good.

For that reason, she was selected to compete for the Miss Humanity International title which is an innovative and holistic pageant that advocates humanitarian causes through raising funds and awareness.

In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News, Safaa Taouch revealed that she marked her first appearance in the beauty competitions in 2012 in Morocco, “when [she] participated in Miss Morocco at the Cherry Festival in Sefrou, before [she] won the runner-up for edition.”

“Later in 2012, I was crowned Miss Arab World in Cairo, Egypt before the committee selected me to represent the Arab World in Miss Humanity International 2014,” she added.

“In the same year, I was named Goodwill Ambassador for abandoned & homeless children in the Arab World,” she noted. Revealing the reason that made her join this competition, Safaa said she liked what Miss Humanity International stood for, stressing that she decided to run for the competition because of her keenness on helping children.

Morocco’s most beautiful woman is an advocate. Her beauty attracts more attention and she is using it to speak for those who have no voice and to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, such as needy children. Safaa believes Beauty is much more than appearance. “Beauty is honesty, integrity, compassion and people’s love for you,” she said.

Representing Morocco in this competition, Safaa said she feels “pride in representing my country. Still, I also have a feeling of responsibility to promote a good image of Moroccan women on this international platform, and show the world Moroccans women's openness to other cultures as well as their strong presence in society.”

This year, Safaa Taouch graduated from the Institute of Applied Technology (ISTA) in Kenitra, and earned a degree in marketing and business management.

Safaa revealed to MWN that she enjoys a lot of support from her family and friends, stressing that they give her the power and energy to go further in this competition and in her charitable activities.

Safaa Taouch will compete for Miss Humanity International 2014 along with thirteen pageants from other countries, including the US, Australia, Jamaica, Nigeria, Belgium, South Africa…etc.

To vote for the Moroccan candidate, follow this link.

© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed

Marrakech - Liz Giles was born in New York. She has traveled extensively and lived abroad in Spain, South Korea, and Marrakech, Morocco. Liz has worked in a variety of fields and first came to Marrakech as an English teacher. She finds the variety and opportunities of running Café du Livre, a Marrakech ex-pat hub, enthralling.

Café du Livre, discretely tucked away through the archway of Hotel Toulousain, behind the new Carre Eden shopping center at 44 Rue Tarik Ben Ziad in Marrakech’s Gueliz, is a place where tourists, expatriates, and Moroccans relax and hang out over coffee and a book in the café’s library, or enjoy a light lunch or substantial dinner with inventive continental cuisine, excellent wines and draught beer. Liz Giles Dhamani and her husband Youness are busily renovating the café’s interior and planning a host of new events. If there were a prize for the most economical use of space for varied events Cafédu Livre would surely win it. While one complaint voiced in Trip Advisor articles concerned cigarette smoke, air conditioners and opened windows have largely fixed this.

The Cafédu Livre quiz night is already a firm favorite for expats and a great social gathering. There’s an annual expat event in September and members of Marrakech’s British community are regular visitors. Live TV sessions with a big screen for the World Cup were hugely popular. Occasional film nights are also becoming a feature though Liz is careful to balance these with the café’s regular clientele. The British film “The Patrol”about Afghanistan, filmed in the Agafay desert outside Marrakech was shown recently at Cafédu Livre. (There is another screening planned for September or October.) Also popular is a scavenger treasure hunt with the Marrakech Urban Adventures team. Children can participate in the next scavenger hunt in October. Other events include wine tastings, book readings, live music on Friday and Saturday night, and exhibitions of local photographs.

The English-speaking community in Marrakech is growing and Cafédu Livre is providing a home away from home where friends can meet and make new acquaintances. More Moroccans drop into Cafédu Livre daily, and Liz notes that the use of English and the demand for English teaching has increased dramatically in Marrakech, so that it is far more widely spoken. Even taxi drivers are beginning to speak English to the pleasant surprise of tourists.

Liz has worked as a teacher at the American School of Marrakech, so she is well versed in the English language teaching scene. The Francophone culture has its own special attributes, but tends to be impenetrable for many English speakers, so the establishment of an English speaking venue is especially welcome for expats and Moroccans alike. The English speaking community is  growing; it may be as many as 800 now, Liz reckons. Next year will see the opening of a new English-based syllabus university in Targa, and the British Council will also be opening an office in Marrakech.

Books have always been an important part of Cafédu Livre and the absence of English language books for sale in Marrakech makes the Café’s library a godsend for English book-starved expats. Liz sources books from Casablanca and those leaving Marrakech are happy to pass books on to the café’s library so that books rotate frequently. The lack of an English cultural magazine for Marrakech is also keenly felt. Hopefully, as the English-speaking community grows, an English language magazine either in print or online will see the light of day. Some have been launched only to fail. On the other hand, Marrakech features regularly in the New York Times and other international publications and the travel press. There are also several informative blogs writing on Marrakech so it should be possible to develop an English language magazine for Marrakech in the future. The Achilles heel is the difficulty in obtaining advertising support, but as the market grows and more English speaking tourists arrive that difficulty may be overcome.

As the newly redecorated Café du Livre opens, we can be sure that it will continue to be a vibrant meeting place and a launch pad for great new events and projects for the English-speaking community in Marrakech.

© Morocco World News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed

By Ouassima Boujrad

Fez - The Moroccan traditional leather slipper is one of the most important components of traditional Moroccan dress.  It is made with typical Moroccan soft and pliable leather, and can be decorated with beautiful colors and embroidery. 

The manufacture of Moroccan slippers, also called “babouche,” is a continuous process. It begins with the collection and sorting of the raw animal skins (goat skin, cow skin, and camel skin), and then cleaning, drying and dying until it reaches the right level of softness to be more useful for what is called “l’Balgha.”

Fez is one of the largest centers for slipper traders and craftsmen. In Fez, a variety of Moroccan slippers are made. The crafting of an exemplary Balgha depends on the quality of the raw materials being used and the tools being utilized in the process.

“There are two different kinds of l’Balgha: the traditional Moroccan slippers that pass through the traditional tanneries during the crafting process, and the modern Moroccan slippers which are produced by machines,” said one of the traders in Fez in a video published by Maghreb Arab Press (MAP). The traditional method of hand crafting an artisanal product still sells the most, and is the most popular because it fits the purchasers’ needs.

A variety of cultures and civilizations have visited or passed through Morocco over the centuries, and they have all left a special impact on traditional Moroccan dress. They all seemingly played a role in the establishment of the elegant Moroccan Fassi slippers, which are one of the most recognizable components of the Moroccan cultural and traditional apparel.

The sale of the Moroccan traditional leather slippers is evenly spread out amongst all the Moroccan cities, such as Marrakesh and Meknes, but Fez remains the leader with its big area dedicated to selling slippers called in Moroccan Darija "Souk Essabat," the shoe market, located in one of the biggest and oldest traditional shopping centers in the country, “Kayseriat al’Kifah.” The latter is located at the heart of old Medina between the Moulay Idriss mausoleum and the grand Mosque of Qarawiyyin.

Traditional Moroccan slippers are worn during religious celebrations in Moroccan culture; they indeed represent the Moroccan identity.

Zagora - Although few Moroccans have heard of Zagora, this city is becoming a prominent vacation destination among foreign travellers.

The town of Zagora sits at the foot of Anti-Atlas Mountains and on the shore of the Draa Valley in South Eastern Morocco. Zagora’s allure is mainly attributed to the great Draa Valley, which is still a home for several of Morocco's tribes. The name Zagora is derived from “Tazagort,” a mountain by the shore of Draa Valley overlooking the city.

The ancient name of the town was “Draa,” alluding to the valley. Not until the twentieth century was the town renamed “Zagora” although some Bedouins nearby still refer to the town as “Draa” in their daily conversations.

In the sixteenth century, Zagora played an important role in Morocco's trade under the Saadyin dynasty. Trade caravans passed through the Draa Valley when coming from the sub-Saharan regions and headed to their final destination, Marrakech.

In total, 17 Saadyin emperors governed Morocco between 1554 and 1659. Sultan Ahmed El Mansour (1578-1603), paid much attention to the Draa Valley, establishing it as a “customs” point for camel caravans making round trips to and from Tombouctou. This strategic position of Draa Valley has become a medium through which to collect legal fees generated by the trade, and has granted Morocco political advantages as well as socio-economic bonuses. These conclusions are articulated by Markus Hattstein*.

Zagora and its surrounding regions became important spiritual and scientific centers under the Saadyin dynasty's rule. This is evidenced by the numerous “Zaouias”* and “shrines,” which attract visitors and students who seek knowledge and spiritual blessing. Zaouia Nassiria in Tamegroute, near Zagora city, is one of the scientific centers, where a collection of ancient books and manuscripts are preserved, marking a glorious history of the region.

People

Zagora and its surrounding regions is now home of several ethnic communities which have emerged and co-existed since the first Saadyin dynasty. According to the general 2004 census, there are about 25,928 people in the provincial zone of Zagora (including villages nearby).

Zagora gathers a number of minority groups, including numerous Amazigh tribes from Ait Atta clan, and black African groups who emigrated from Sub-Saharan Africa, along with the Caravans. Arabs have also settled in Zagora, coming from Marrakech since the medieval times.

The social status of Zagora's residents is below the middle class. Most of them live either as peasants in the oasis of Draa, or as workers in the tourism industry such as hotels and travel agencies, while other are state employees working in public institutions.

Agriculture

The Draa Valley is a considerable resource for the hundreds of families in Zagora. Millions of palm trees grow and produce dates each harvest season. The date sector has an important role in the local development of Zagora, for it provides Morocco, (and overseas countries), with various kinds of dates, including L’majhoul, Bouskri, Tahemout and Lkhelt.

Recently, watermelon cultivation has achieved unprecedented success. This unique fruit is picked during the summer, and covers spacious fields around Zagora.

Tourism and Arts

Zagora’s historical monuments and natural features are what enchant foreign guests most. Tourists from major European countries, such as France, Germany and Switzerland, travel to Morocco to explore Zagora. The region still preserves numerous Kasbahs and old fortresses that mark bygone era. In addition, the Sahara desert landscapes of sand dunes and "Hamadas"* is also worth discovering.

The artistic characteristics of Zagora lay in crafts, as well as folklore. Zagora is home of old pottery factories. Clay dishes are exclusively made in Tamegroute, featuring green colored productions and displayed in local and national exhibitions. Reed is also used to make crafts.

Folklore in Zagora reflects the cultural identity of the joint communities. Both Amazighs and Arabs of the area, perform different artistic shows, varying from Ahidous to Regba and Hassani rhythms.

Camel trek      

In order to live like an ancient traveller in the desert, and appreciate the nomadic style, a camel trek in Zagora is necessary. This activity involves riding camels and walking for multiple days, while exploring the splendid desert atmosphere. The journey includes meals under savannah shadows and accommodation in a bivouac, or traditional night camp.

Camel treks as well as drive trips are the experience of a lifetime for tourists, not only given the breathtaking sights but also the warm hospitality showed to them by the locals.

If given enough support and encouragement, the tourism industry in Zagora will facilitate cross-cultural communications between Morocco and the rest of the world. The state therefore, should seize the opportunities these diverse touristic attractions provide, by activating Zagora airport and launching tourism training centers to be at the disposal of the region's youth.

* Markus Hattstein is a German author and editor. He has written various books in the field of architecture, history and art. “Islam: art and architecture “is the book where he discussed the role Saadyin dynasty in Morocco’s history.

*Zaouia is formerly an Islamic religious school, flourished during the sixteenth century in North Africa and is still up-to-date an institution for Islamic studies.

*Hamada is described as wide barren land in the desert.

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Tinejdad, Morocco - Sarah Laasri was crowned Miss Cactus 2014, Monday night on the occasion of the first edition of the "Festival Aknari" (cactus festival), held in Sidi Ifni.

After five hours of performance, the jury crowned Sarah Laasri, Miss Cactus, among nine contestants.

The jury based its evaluation on individual interviews with the contestants and very specific criteria including the contestants' dress, their knowledge of languages and their communicative skills.

Sidni Ifni is also the home of Legzira Beach which was ranked last week 29th among the 40 best beaches on earth.

On February 2, 2014, the Moroccan resort city of Ifrane held the annual Ifrane Snow Festival and crowned "Miss Snow Ifrane 2014," to highlight the Amazigh region’s diverse culture and to promote Ifrane, known as little Switzerland.

Rabat - A fake picture that was posted on Friday by Moroccan website Goud.ma and was largely shared on social media, shows Abdelilah Benkirane, the head of the Moroccan government and head of the Islamist Party of Justice and Development, allegedly dancing with a Latin American dancer.

The fake picture, which is going viral, was taken during the International Festival of Folklore, which was held in Sale, near Rabat.

A quick look at the picture would mislead the reader to think that Morocco’s head of government was indeed having fun with the alleged Latin American dancer. But a closer look to the features of the picture leaves no doubt that it was photoshopped.

Marrakech - It has been six years since I last visited Fez, but during that visit I felt that I truly got to know the city, with the help of my friend Mark Willenbrock and an excellent guide, Farida. The route through the Bab Bou Jeloud, with its lines of jewelry stores, leather shops, scarves, and ceramics, is a well-known tourist attraction. Turning back to Bab Bou Jeloud, I cross over to another street, and find a superb bookshop with a wealth of English language titles many on Morocco. The Libraire Kounouz Al Maarifa is like manna from heaven for a Marrakech resident, starved of good books in English. I chose Journey into Barbary by Wyndham Lewis.

The Medersa Bou Innania is stunning, with its carved stucco, lined with prayers and sayings of the prophet and its great dark wooden awning. The perfect proportions and the beautiful Minaret make one feel as if they have arrived in architectural heaven. In Fez there is a wealth of Islamic architecture for the tourist to see, such as the Medersa Cherratine,the El Attarine Medersa, and the Sahrij  Medersa. Fez is rich in Islamic architecture, narrow passageways (some of them underground), high walls, and buildings interspersed with shops and riads. They create an intimate world where you walk back in time into the Middle Ages.

I have rarely used a guide before, but Farida took me from the Batha Museum through Sidi Moussa down a winding, narrow street where families came and went and contractors performed the hazardous business of shoring up buildings with wooden stilts and supports.Farida showed me her former home and school and the local bakery. So much has changed, she said. But much remains the same, as we pass through a tunnel where a figure sits almost in the dark. These streets are where people live as they have always lived in the sacred city. Farida points out where babs (or gates) used to be, as Fez was very much a city divided by gates, as Paul Bowles records in an article on Fez he wrote in 1950. Nowadays, the streets are freer and the gates are gone.

We walked down the road past the Dar Bathia Institut Francais and entered the Rue Zrbtana Ain Azlitana, a quiet winding street with high white walls. Men passed us in djellabahs and women in traditional colorful dress. Children run by laughing. Some riads and restaurants can be seen as you pass by their open doors. The doors are usually brown, with bolts arranged across them in exactly the same way. Some have traditional  door-knockers. The Riad el Fez has a long and inviting entrance and a fine garden arranged across it. Small digging trucks go back and forth to a construction site. Mercifully, there are no motorbikes: an additional boon for anyone who knows the Marrakech medina. Fez is built on hills, so streets go up and down quite steeply. There are steps that make riding a motorbike impossible.

Donkeys and mules laden with goods (I saw one carrying a washing machine) pass by to cries of “balak”. Some of the houses are supported by narrow wooden beams, which testify to the difficulty of doing restoration work in such narrow streets.  The Ruined Garden is a good place to eat on a hot day, as its leafy garden provides a shady retreat for those who have been pounding the streets. Crossing the Talat Seghira, we go down into the souk, which leads to a blur of stalls selling leather goods, carpets, scarves, perfume, brassware, and ceramics intermixed with electronics,mobile phones, everyday items, spices, and trailers full of halwa pink, green, and white. The Cherratine Medrasa, the Sidi Ahmed Tijani Zaouia, and the tomb of King Idriss are fabulouslydecorated with zellij tiles, ornate stucco, and beautiful colors. The profusion of different things makes your mind spin, with no hassle or aggressive salesmanship.

We escape into a jewelry, an Aladdin’s cave on two floors at L’Art des Fibule in Sidi Mousa 43.I watch a craftsman tap a design onto a brass plate and looked through cases of jewels, silverware, necklaces, earrings, and countless curved daggers. My impression is that the quality of the items lit so brightly with ornate lanterns is far better than anything I have seen in Marrakech. We also view a small weaving factory for scarves, complete with a weaving machine. There is a street lined only with stone wheels for sharpening knives, and all the craftsmen send their cutting implements to be sharpened. Fez retains its local character. There are preschool Koranic schools for small children in and amongst the souk stalls. Later, on my own, I ended up delighted and exhausted at Mark’s riad,Dar Rabab. It is easy to get lost in the Fez souks because they are so large, but it is worth it.

An evening drink at the delightful Palais Jamai hotel bar left me reflecting that there is great virtue in leaving something that works well alone. The British in particular prefer an older environment that preserves its style, rather than ripping down buildings and replacing them with something that is modern and has no style at all.

I also took time to see the Glaoui Palace and the El Mokri Palace (the new one) These places are an integral part of  Morocco’s architectural history. Even if the Glaoui Palace is dilapidated, the El Mokri palace in its stately light blue decoration has been well preserved by the El Mokri family. Hopefully it will find an investor for a better future for exhibitions and events. Restoration and preservation is critical for Morocco’s architectural heritage, as well as the building of new hotels and resorts. Somehow in Fez, the spiritual and cultural home of Morocco’s Arabic heritage, one is made more aware of this, as the ancient is preserved with reverence and love. Fez has benefitted from the golden heritage of Al Andalus and Kairouine, and has far more to offer in terms of cultural and architectural heritage than anywhere else in Morocco.  My three-day trip was well-spent and I look forward to returning soon.

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By Yassine Makhou

Guelmime - In the south of Morocco, some Sahrawi tribes celebrate the divorced woman after the end of her marriage, acknowledging her honor and prestige.

The tradition aims at preserving the woman’s dignity and reviving her chances to get married again, since in the Hassani community there is no difference between the deflowered and the virgin in terms of her dowry.

Contrary to the stereotypical images of women in Arab-Islamic societies, in some Sahrawi regions in the south of Morocco women are given a high degree of appreciation, respect, and favoritism.

Sahrawi women occupy a special position in the community and are regarded as the backbone that contributes greatly to the development of the society. Being married or not has nothing to do with the privileged status associated with women in some Sahrawi regions.

Divorce is considered a major setback for women in many Arab and Islamic societies, but the Sahrawi community takes the occasion to renew its confidence in the woman to the extent of celebrating her unhappy divorce.

In this context, researcher in Sociology and Hassani Culture Mohamed Dahman at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, “sees that despite the decline in the rate of celebrating the divorced woman in some Sahrawi regions. This culture of celebration must be taught and generalized, taking into consideration its value in the development of the society”

The researcher explains that when a woman gets divorced, she returns to her family‘s house waiting for another man to marry. In the Sahrawi dialect, “Harsh laha”, is the declaration of a man to marry a woman, and following the tradition, the candidate for husband slaughters a camel in front of her family’s house, a tradition called “ i3ar9b 3liha.” Then the family starts banging drums and expressing gratitude to God, and as an aspect of their happiness they say, “the woman came back and the man did not die.”

The researcher adds “the woman’s status rises when she marries twice or three times, as a result she gets an access to attend the public meetings and being consulted within the family, so the increase in woman’s value answers the questions how many times she get married.”

In Sahrawi society, a divorced woman is not regarded as the subject of insult. It is not an occasion for the family to pressure on woman to get remarried. Instead, it is taken as a normal experience in one’s life that has nothing to do with self-esteem or privilege.

Hassani society holds a rich cultural heritage of values in regards relationships with women, and the celebration of divorce is a demonstrative aspect of the privileged status that women occupy in the Sahrawi community.

By Susie Ellis

Marrakech - Indigenous healing traditions and wellness practices in developing countries are usually an untapped, and often misunderstood, economic growth opportunity in the form of tourism.

When the opportunity is recognized and seized, which is what is now happening in Morocco, it opens the floodgates for investment and can deliver a large number of wellness tourists, who, by the way, are “high-yield” tourist that spend on average 130% more per visit than other travelers.  (SRI International. Global Wellness Tourism Economy, 2013)

The rich tradition of the Moroccan Hammam and the use of Argan Oil are probably the two biggest attractions at the moment. However, there is huge opportunity to go much beyond that by emphasizing other natural resources, like fig de barbarie, olives, roses, and even the desert sand settings and the climate in general. The refurbishment of Riads, including the addition of luxury spa experiences, is another example of smart development to attract global travelers to Morocco for health and wellness…a rejuvenating vacation is one of the most sought after treasures of all, these days.

The emergence of wellness tourism around the world has opened up a huge opportunity for countries whose governments are smart enough to understand the benefits of seizing this moment early and generating huge momentum for their country. In my opinion, Morocco is one of those countries whose vision has been out front about this.  One need only look at the Kingdom’s 2020, vision to see that wellness tourism is called out as a primary focus.

And, that is why we were very happy to give the 2014, bid for the GSWS to Morocco. Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT) sees an investment opportunity, which, in my opinion, illustrates their global leadership ability. They stepped up to be our key sponsor in bringing the Summit to Morocco, a world-class event ($2500 delegate attendee fee) that attracts global executive leaders from 40+ countries around the world. Four hundred of these spa and wellness VIPs will spend, on average, seven days in Morocco, bringing in significant tourism dollars. Also, because we shine a light on the country’s wellness tourism programs, the Moroccan wellness message will then be communicated around the globe through the media attention generated by the Summit.

India is a prime example of a developing country that used wellness tourism as a springboard to jumpstart their entire economy. Thirteen years ago India began touting its wellness tourism and have successfully doubled their inbound tourism. Its “Incredible India” campaign began in 2001, and it was a key factor in their inbound tourism jumping from 2.5 million visitors in 2001 to 5.4 million in 2008 and (6.8 million in 2013).

That ongoing campaign was rooted in wellness, with Ayurveda, meditation and yoga as their drawing cards and they now have some of the most unique spa offerings in the world. In addition, their hotel and resort developments are booming, as are incoming tourist numbers.

Two other good examples of this business plan are Switzerland and Austria, which have both used wellness tourism to attract the wellness-minded traveler and, at the same time, have been able to overcome seasonality by creating stunning spa establishments within their winter ski resorts. These resorts now attract tourism year round, as well as help boost tourism dollars during those years when the snow during ski season isn’t so reliable. This multiuse model is a brilliant idea that others are now emulating.

Here is the bottom line: If used strategically, hosting the Global Spa & Wellness Summit in Morocco will catapult the unique offerings of wellness and spa tourism in Morocco to a wide audience worldwide.

Susie Ellis, President and CEO of the Global Spa and Wellness Summit and president of SpaFinder Wellness, is a prominent writer, speaker and analyst and recognized as a leading global authority on spa and wellness. Author of SpaFinder's annual Spa Trend Forecast and the popular Susie’s Spa and Wellness Blog, Ellis is the recipient of the prestigious International Spa Association's 2012 Visionary Award and holds a MBA from UCLA.

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Rabat - It was rumored this morning that Morocco’s Safaa Taouch was crowned Miss Humanity International 2014. However, Safaa told Morocco World News that it was just a rumor

The rumors spread quickly on social networking as many Moroccan Arabic-Speaking media outlets claimed that Safaa was crowned 2014’s Miss Humanity International.

Alyaoum24 reported Monday morning that Safaa Taouch has been named Miss Human International 2014.

“This morning, Safaa announced in a status on her FaceBook account that she is officially Miss Human International 2014,” Alyaoum24 reported.

However, Safaa told Morocco World News in an exclusive statement that this is “a false rumor”.

“The Moroccan media outlets misread my FaceBook status. I wrote: Safaa Taouch officially Miss Humanity International Morocco,” Safaa said.

“I meant that I am the official Moroccan representative in Miss Humanity International. But several media outlets got me wrong and reported that I won the title,” she added.

Safaa Taouch has been selected to represent the Arab World at the 4th edition of Miss Humanity International 2014, which kicked off on August 17 and will run until next Wednesday, in Barbados.

Marrakech - Jim Fletcher is a Tourism Economist and Financial Analyst with over 30 years of experience working in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including in Morocco. In 2010, he and his family visited Morocco and stayed longer than they expected because of an eruption of the Icelandic volcano and its resulting ash. 

By chance, our 2010 trip followed a similar route to the one we took on 1976, as far as Marrakech at any rate. However, we spent more time around Fez (Meknes and Volubilis) and took a camel ride into the desert, and spent the night in a desert camp near Merzouga. We stayed in Todra Gorge, we stayed and trekked in the Mgoun Valley and the Valley of the Roses, we spent an overnight opposite Ait Benhaddou before passing through Ouarzazate, on to Marrakech, Essaouira, then back to Marrakech and home. This time we were 8 adults and 9 children (four families, three British and one from California). Last time, we were just three 26-year-old school friends.

The labyrinthine medieval alleyscape of Fez, with its heady accompaniment of the sights, sounds, and smells of a bustling, jostling, working town, is imprinted in my mind. It was wonderful to recapture that memory, as well as see the excitement and enjoyment amongst all the first time visitors in our party (until, of course, we reached the tanneries!). The powerful and distinctive smells of this district were not immediately apparent; perhaps because of the direction of our approach and our passage through corridors and narrow, staircases which led higher and higher before. Just after the unexpected gift of a sprig of mint, we broke through onto an opensided leather bag and baggage gallery, which overlooked the multi-coloured honeycomb of vats and their scantily clad attendants. The view is irresistible, the scene is timeless, the scent is nauseous and the mint is addictive. Fez in a microcosm.

We travelled back in time to Roman Volubilis and experienced the antithesis of Fes-el-Bali: a streetscape largely made up of roads and foundations (and many impressive floor mosaics), rolling across an elevated site leading to an open green plain turned lush by winter and spring rains. Romans this far south in North Africa, and settling on this scale was impressive, and a surprise to everyone as much as were the storks nesting contentedly, if messily, upon several of the erect Roman columns.

We stayed just the one night in Marrakech before heading off to Essaouira for two nights but a guided tour of the Medina was arranged for the morning which would help orient us for a final visit to the souks after returning from the coast for the final night before flying home.

By now we were all well aware of the threat posed by the Icelandic ash cloud, but its reality only sank in back in Marrakech the next day. It became clear that an unexpected extension to our adventure holiday was about to begin. Radouane, our tour leader, arranged a farewell Moroccan dinner for us near Place Djemma El Fna, since our new Californian friends were off to recover from the jam-packed excitement and variety of our trip, to the calm of a beach resort in Agadir. Even if we Brits were to be stranded (and what a wonderful place to be stranded!), they were off on the next part of their six-month odyssey around Europe and North Africa, so a fitting finale was needed. The next day, we packed up and headed for the airport. We found by late morning that it was clear that our London flight was only going as far as Casablanca. However, our tour operator (The Adventure Company) had already organised bookings at another hotel (with a small pool) in the New Town, so off we went.

At this point we had no idea how many extra days we’d have to spend in Marrakech, but there was still so much to see and enjoy… and shopping to be done! We found a great restaurant, Le Jardin de la Paix, where we could eat outdoors in a lush garden.  We also had to bow to our daughters’ insistence that we also eat in the nearby McDonalds and Pizza Hut, although this also helped to keep our additional costs down. In fact, one of McDonald’s Moroccan-style choices is the ‘McArabia’, presented with a local herb and lightly spiced dressing and wrapped in a flatbread. It was pretty tasty.

We spent some time by the pool, but we made visits to various museums and the Majorelle Gardens.We took carriage rides round the Medina and walks through the souks and Place Djemma El Fna. The family began enjoying bargaining for prices as we travelled through the country, and we were ready for the final assault on the souks, where we bought jewellery, a brass lantern, several small ceramic dishes, a couple of small antiques, and a kilo of fat, juicy dates…quite a haul!

The tour operator’s agents kept us informed of events and progress on getting us home. The British Embassy told us, after six extra nights, that we were to fly out on a charter flight, which was consolidating numerous groups of British tourists from various specialist travel companies. Although we had left from Heathrow Airport, we returned to Gatwick. However, a coach was arranged to take everyone who wanted/needed to get back to Heathrow, which was ideal. In addition, the Managing Director of The Adventure Company was on hand to welcome us back, and he travelled to Heathrow with us. It should also be noted that all additional hotel costs and airport transfers in Marrakech and the UK were covered by the Adventure Company.

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Fez - The festival of Amazigh culture will be held on September 5-7 in Fez. The cultural event is organized annually by the South North Center for Intercultural Dialogue, Fès-Saiss Association and the Spirit of Fès Foundation in an attempt to participate in the national efforts to promote Amazigh and popular culture.

The main objective of this edition is to highlight the historical and social significance of Amazigh and Hassania cultural dialogue, and the role of culture in the processes of development and democratization. The festival also aims to establish coherent strategies to consolidate intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, and democratic culture.

This festival is a follow up of Royal directives relating to the promotion of the Amazigh and Hassania cultures, which are an integral part of Moroccan national identity.

The festival includes two components:

- And another component devoted to the Amazigh and Hassania music, dance, and poetry.

Both Amazigh and Hassania cultures, which are pillars of cultural diversity in Morocco, have a great impact on the lifestyle of the Moroccan population and on the customs and traditions of the whole society. This interchange between the different aspects of Moroccan culture has created a symbiosis and a remarkable cultural wealth that characterizes today's Morocco.

The tenth edition of the festival will be a special period which will shed light on the positive impact that multiculturalism in general and the Amazigh – Hassania cultural dialogue in particular can have on democracy, sustainable development, and heritage preservation.

The objectives of the festival and forum

The tenth edition of the Festival of Amazigh Culture in Fez aims to consolidate the development process, the values of peace, dialogue and social cohesion.

One of the main objectives of this forum is to provide a comprehensive and scientific approach to the role of multiculturalism and democracy in Morocco and elsewhere, and to highlight its contribution to development, democratization, and peace building.

It aims to underscore and to support the positive impact of multiculturalism and democracy in general on economic, social and cultural development, and to explore ways to promote diversity in all its manifestations.

In addition to the forum, the festival will include concerts of the Amazigh and Hassania music and dance, representing different regions of the country and beyond, as well as arts activities and poetry reading.

Tribute to two eminent writers and researchers

Dr. Ghita El Khayat (a prolific writer and psychiatrist in Casablanca) and Professor Michael Peyron (French Anthropologist and specialist of Amazigh culture)

Tribute to outstanding Amazigh and Hassania artists

The festival will pay tribute to four outstanding musicians for their extraordinary talents artistic legacy, and great contributions, namely: Rachida Talal, Hamid El Kasri and Rabah Mariwari

In addition to song and poetry, the festival will include: Books and crafts exhibitions, works exhibitions, Amazigh carpets exhibition, Saharan products exhibitions and screenings of films and documentaries.

Casablanca - The eighth annual Global Spa & Wellness Summit sessions will take place on September 10-12, 2014 at the Four Seasons Resort in Marrakech.

To shed more lights on this international event, Morocco World News talked with Mrs. Susie Ellis to discuss and learn about economic development concerning the spa and wellness industries worldwide and how this industry can benefit tourism in Morocco.

Susie Ellis, President and CEO of the Global Spa and Wellness Summit and president of SpaFinder Wellness, is a prominent writer, speaker and analyst and recognized as a leading global authority on spa and wellness.

MWN: Why is the 8^th Global Spa & Wellness Summit being held in Marrakesh and not in another Moroccan city? Are there any specific reasons?

Susie Ellis: During the research phase and our site visits to Morocco, we considered a variety of locations for the Summit, and looked at each city’s advantages based on some of our most important criteria.

What we found is that Marrakesh had the most to offer our delegates in terms of the spa and wellness industry– we could find examples of both the history and the future of wellness tourism here. Not only can our delegates understand the historic Moroccan hammam experience in Marrakesh, but at the same time, they can visit some of the most stunning spa developments – famous around the world - as well. Four Seasons, Royal Mansour, La Mamounia, the Selman are just four of the luxury offerings in Marrakesh, and, of course, there are also a growing number of Riads with spas.

In addition, accessibility for international travelers is an important criterion, as is the availability of a variety of accommodations for our elegant event.  And, the Four Seasons Marrakech extended us a very warm welcome, and their beautiful conference facility, as well as their commitment to spas and wellness, factored into our choice.

SMIT and the representatives of the Kingdom who we met with also felt that Marrakesh was the right city for our event.  We did, however, add pre- and post-Summit trip options for all delegates, which include other cities and sites of Morocco, and so I believe our delegates will end up learning and understanding more about Morocco as a country beyond just Marrakesh as a city. (You can see more about these here)

MWN: What are the prospects of this industry worldwide and in Morocco and the MENA region?

Note: All data below from SRI International’s “Global Wellness Tourism Economy” report, prepared for the Global Spa & Wellness Summit, 2013

Susie Ellis: The wellness tourism market is one of the – if not the – fastest-growing global tourism categories. It was already a $439 billion USD market at end of 2012, accounting for an eye-opening 1 out of every 7 tourism dollars spent ($3.2 trillion USD in total). But worldwide, wellness tourism is forecast to grow to $678.5 billion USD by 2017 (or 9.9% annually over those 5 years), which is nearly 50% faster thanglobal tourism, which itself is growing very fast.

MENA Is the Fastest-Growing Wellness Tourism Market on Earth:

SRI’s study shows that while Europe and North America dominate in wellness tourism now,over 50% of projected growth through 2017 will come from Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the very fastest growing wellness tourism market in the world, set to grow at an amazing 16.2% annually from 2012-2017. The MENA market will expand from $5.3 billion USD in 2012 to $16.6 billion USD in 2017 – more than tripling. For context: Sub-Saharan Africa will also see an impressive 12.6% annual growth, driving that market from $2 billion USD in 2012 to $5.07 billion by 2017.

Driving much of this MENA wellness tourism growth is the luxury/spa hotel building boom across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and the revitalization of (and global interest in) “experiential” wellness and indigenous practices, such as the region’s (and Morocco’s) historic hammams and baths.

Middle East/North Africa–The Global Wellness Tourism Growth Leader (Annual Growth Rate, 2012-2017)

1- Middle East/North Africa: 16.2%

2- Latin America: 13.4%

3- Asia Pacific: 13.4%

4- Sub-Saharan Africa: 12.6%

5- North America: 8%

6- Europe 7.3%

Fastest-Growing Middle East/Africa Wellness Tourism Countries (Trips Added/Annual Growth Rate, 2012-2017)

1- UAE: 1 mil/17.9%

2- South Africa: 1 mil/10.5%

3- Israel: 800,000/18.6%

4- Morocco: 800,000/14.7%

Note: all 4 countries above rank in the top 30 globally for wellness tourism growth 2012-2017. Israel, the UAE, and Morocco all rank in the top ten in the world for “pure percentage” growth in wellness travel through 2017, ranking #5, #6 and #10, respectively.

Current Top Five Current Wellness Tourism Country Leaders across all of Middle East/Africa (annual trips/expenditures in USD):

1- South Africa: 1.5 mil/$1.5 bil

2- UAE: 800,000/$1.4 bil

3- Israel: 600,000/$1 bil

4- Morocco: 800,000/$800 mil

5- Egypt: 900,000/$700 mil

Worldwide, domestic wellness tourism is dramatically larger than its international equivalent, representing 84% of trips and 68% of expenditures. But for the Middle East and North Africa, the reverse is true: no global region’s wellness travel market is as dependent on foreign tourists. In the Middle East and North Africa, international tourists make up 63% of trips and 75% of expenditures.

Top Five Inbound Wellness Tourism Country Leaders Across Middle East/Africa (number of wellness-focused arrivals annually)

1- South Africa: 665,900

2- UAE: 603,600

3- Egypt: 593,400

4 - Morocco: 464,200

5- Tunisia: 354,500

Wellness tourism is directly responsible for creating 200,000 jobs in the Middle East and North Africa. This booming travel sector has an estimated impact of $13.4 billion USD on MENA’s regional economy.

The data above speaks louder than any words: MENA is the world’s fastest-growing wellness tourism market. Morocco will increasingly be a global leader in wellness tourism. It ranked #10 for projected growth among all nations from 2012-2017, with a very impressive growth rate of roughly 15%. Morocco is poised to grow dramatically larger than its current level of $800 million USD in wellness tourism expenditures at the end of 2012 within the next few years.

Also of note, there will be a presentation at the 2014 GSWS by this well-regarded research firm, SRI International (founded as Stanford Research Institute), revealing the latest statistics on the Global Spa and Wellness Economy, which will include fresh figures on the size of the  Moroccan spa industry – a key component of the nation’s wider wellness tourism market.

MWN: What do you think about Morocco’s wellness and spa tourism market?

Susie Ellis: I think Morocco has one of the greatest opportunities for spa and wellness tourism, greater than perhaps any other country in the world. The climate, history, and commitment to developing this opportunity by the Kingdom as well as the tourism offices should be a “can’t miss” formula.

I do think that there are a few factors that will help ensure its success, including a more welcoming visa process for the countries from which Morocco requires visas. The high-yield wellness tourist seeking rest and relaxation (the number one reason people go to spas) is not inclined to have frustrating hurdles along the way at the beginning of their journey. Because there are already many countries that don’t require visas, I assume and hope this will be resolved over time.

MWN: How important is tourism to a country’s image?

Susie Ellis: Tourism is a barometer of a country’s image, so it’s of great importance. Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, as is the health industry. If a country has natural resources and a good strategy to develop wellness tourism, this can become “the” identity of the country. Bali and Thailand are good examples of countries whose tourism image is now often equated with wellness and spas.

While there are a few images of spa and wellness traditions in your tourism materials, I think there is room for a lot more visibility to brand your country with the relaxation and beauty of the Moroccan hammam experience; an experience that exudes wellness and relaxation.

MWN: What are people expecting under the terms “ Wellness and spa tourism”? 

Susie Ellis: We know from our research that the number one reason people go to spas is “to relax and de-stress.”  So when one talks about wellness and the spa, relaxation certainly comes to mind.  In addition, the very definition of wellness tourism is “all travel associated with enhancing one’s personal well-being”.  It is helpful to keep in mind the distinction between primary wellness travelers and secondary wellness travelers.  For the former, the wellness experience is “the reason” for the trip and, for the latter, wellness is part of the trip but not necessarily the most important part.  Some travelers are seeking a full immersion spa experience. Consider those who are visiting the thalassotherapy resorts on your shores or those visiting hot springs in your country.  The majority however – and that is certainly the case in Morocco – are the secondary wellness travelers, who add some of the wellness components such as spa services, exercise, healthy eating, relaxing, and even spiritual practices to their itinerary.

Domestic tourism is another great opportunity. This means not only attracting international wellness travelers, but also using wellness and spa experiences to attract domestic travelers to unique experiences within the country.

Also of note is what people are not expecting under the terms of “wellness and spa tourism”, and that is medical procedures that involve hospitals and such.  That is something distinct from spa and wellness and is in a category of its own, called Medical Tourism.  It is very important to not mix the two, as the markets are very different.  In my opinion, Morocco’s opportunity in wellness tourism is – and has been – greater than that of its opportunities in Medical Tourism.  And while I am all for encouraging Medical Tourismwhere there is expertise – and there is some in Morocco – mixing the two is a slippery slope that should be avoided.

MWN: Is wellness playing a huge role in a person’s life? How and in which ways?

Susie Ellis: Our research shows that wellness is playing an ever larger role in a person’s life – evidenced by the fact that it is a massive $2 trillion global industry (SRI International, 2010). There are a variety of trends that are fueling this, including higher stress levels, more knowledge about the value of preventative measures, the world’s rising rates of obesity and diabetes, and the skyrocketing costs of health care making it must more cost effective to prevent rather than to cure. It behooves everyone (governments, corporations, schools, families, and individuals) to encourage wellness practices where people take responsibility for their health and for prevention of illness.  The benefits are monumental for each of the stakeholders involved.

MWN: What do you think about the stereotype that only rich people can afford or access such services?

Susie Ellis: In some ways the stereotype that only rich people can afford or access spa services is warranted by the fact that many spas, which are expensive to build and expensive to staff, have had to charge high prices. However, one need only look at the cost of a visit to one of your local hammams in the Medinas to see that there is also an aspect of spa and wellness that caters to a much broader audience where the experience is very affordable.

I think that as the term “wellness” has entered the discussion (just in the past 10 years) to rival and in some cases supplant the word “spa.” This stereotype that wellness tourism is only for the rich is beginning to be dismantled. Note that the Summit will be hearing from and honoring two of the world’s wellness pioneers, Dr. Jack Travis and Don Ardell, PhD, who will be speaking about the origin of the word ‘wellness’.

We are seeing signs of this affluent stereotype being broken across the world. For example, budget spas are popping up everywhere. In the US, there’s a franchise called Massage Envy that has recently opened their 1,000^th franchise. They offer basic massage services in a not-so-expensive environment. The prices are about a quarter of the cost of a massage in a resort or hotel.

In addition, the renaissance of hot springs bathing and the refurbishment of establishments that offer these experiences are also making wellness experiences more accessible. In fact, we are highlighting Moroccan hot springs and offering a tour of historically significant locations, including Moulay Yacoub, Sidi Harazem, Ain Salama, Ain Allah, Abaynou and Tighmert Oasis.

While I don’t believe Morocco has put much emphasis on hot springs tourism in the past, there is a huge opportunity here.

MWN: Can you give me an example of a country that thanks spa industry overcome the economic crisis and brought more investment?

Susie Ellis: As mentioned above, India is a very good example to observe when it comes to seeing the value of emphasizing wellness tourism for a country.  In fact, the GSWS was hosted by India last year, when we shared the first-ever research done on the Global Wellness Tourism Economy.  One of the presentations at that Summit was from Mr. Amitabh Kant, who spearheaded the successful tourism campaigns of Kerala “God’s Own Country”, and “Cradle of Ayurveda”, as well as the very popular “Incredible India” campaign that was rooted in the historical wellness practices of that country.  With India’s huge surge in tourism in the past twelve years, there is no doubt that investment has increased with tourism.

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Taroudant- Dutch fashion model Imaan Hammam of Moroccan origins reveals at Brooklyn’s Afropunk Festival last weekendthe secret of her beauty.

The Moroccan model said that the secret of her skin care treatment can be found in the kitchen of everybody.

Hammam is reportedly using “oils and butters from her mother’s native Morocco into her beauty routine” admitting that the best-kept secret of her beauty is mixing saffron and honey and applying it to her “face for five minutes”.

“Y’know, there’s a thing you cook with, called saffron. Mix it with honey and then apply it to your face like a mask for five minutes. Wash it off and your face is beautiful!” Hammam was quoted by Vogue as saying.

One of the world's most expensive spices, Saffron is also best known for its therapeutic benefits.

The small town of Taliouine in southern Morocco is home to country’s largest and best quality saffron fields.

To develop and promote the sector of saffron into a vector of socio-economic development for the local population, the kingdom celebrate every year in November the International Festival of saffron.