Travel Magazine Congress, May 17-20 in Banjul, the Gambia
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This sample edition features pages from our Northern Africa Yearbook Edition. The latest version is in production and a digital version africa will be available for download following the Africa Travel Association (ATA) 35th Annual Travel Magazine Congress, May 17-20 in Banjul, The Gambia. For your convenience, we have limited the size of this sample to under 60 pages Also for your convenience to avoid constant page turning, we have designed this PDF ver- sion in double page spreads, except for the covers. Previews of over 24 other editions can be viewed from our website - http://www. Algeria africa-ata.org/mag.htm Egypt To turn pages, please scroll, use the return key or forward arrow. Libya Morocco Sudan Tunisia Western Sahara NORTHERN Region Africa Travel Magazine Index I am Morocco, home of Africa’s oldest mon- archy, consitutional in form, with an elected parliament. I rank high on the list Africa’s 2-5 I am Morocco I AM MOROCCO ... prime tourism destinations, generating over 2 billion per year in foreign currency. I am 6-9 La Mamounia, Marrakech located in Northern Africa, with coastlines 10-13 Moroccan Handicrafts along the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. I am a stable and democratic country 14-13 Mountain & Desert Treks linking Sub-Saharan Africa and Western 14-17 Return to Mogador Europe, separated by the Straits of Gibraltar, a short ferry ride. In area I am slightly larger 18-21 Riads and Kasbahs than the state of California and the same size as Iraq. I am bordered by Algeria to the 22-23 Sahara Ecotours east, Spain to the north, three small Span- 24-25 Medieval Schools ish enclaves and Mauritania to the south via my Western Saharan territories. Most of my 26-27 Berber Wedding south east area is in the Sahara Desert and as 28-29 Berber Gites such is generally sparsely populated My status 30-33 Moroccan Vegetarian Menus I am a member of the Arab League, Arab 34-35 Moroccan Travel Market Maghreb Union, Francophonie, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Mediterranean 36-50 Great Cities of Morocco Dialogue group, and Group of 77. I received Discover Marrakech my independence from France in 1956. My current population is more than 30 million. Discover Casablanca My official language is Arabic, Berber dia- Discover Tangier lect - with French popular as the language of business, government and diplomacy and Discover Agadir English widely spoken. My Ethnic groups are Discover Rabat as follows: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% My religions: Muslim 98.7%, Discover Fez Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%. I am the third most populous Arab country, Discover Meknes after Egypt and Sudan. Most of my people and more ... practice Sunni Islam and are of Berber, Arab or mixed Arab-Berber stock. Great Cities of Morocco I am famous for my Imperial Cities. Casa- blanca is my business and economic capital, and has the Northern Africa’s largest seaport. A modern autoroute connects Casablanca with other major centers, and the railways system is well advanced, with seamless ser- vice to the Mohammed V International Air- port, with over 6.2 million passengers annually. Continued on page 40 Africa Travel Magazine I AM MOROCCO , FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN SEA TO MOUNTAINS AND DESERT From page 12% of the land while arable land Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Cadi Ayyad University, accounts for 18%. 5% is irrigated. Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Marrakech It is home base to RoyalAir Maroc, Jet4you, I am known for my wildlife biodi- Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Chouaib Doukkali University , versity, with birds representing the Air Arabia Maroc and Regional Air Lines. Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, El Jadida Rabat is my administrative capital - tradi- most important fauna Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Hassan II Ain Chok University , tional yet modern and elegant, with wide I m an ethnically diverse country boulevards with trees, flowers, gardens and with a rich culture and civilization, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Casablanca luxurious boutiques. Small wonder they call having hosted many people com- Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Hassan II Mohammedia Univer- in the Garden City. ing from East (Phoenicians, Car- Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, sity , Mohammedia An exciting development currently un- thaginians, Jews and Arabs), South Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Hassan Premier University , derway is a rapid light rail system linking (Sub-Saharan Africans) and North Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Settat Rabat to its sister city of Sale. (Romans, Vandals, Andalusians (in- Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Ibn Tofail University , Fés, the Imperial City, is my spiritual and cluding Moors and Jews)). All those Tetouan, Tiznit . note: three ad- Kenitra cultural center and original capital, dating civilizations have had an impact on ditional provinces of Ad Dakhla Ibnou Zohr University , Agadir back to the 800s. Meknes is famous for my social structure. (Oued Eddahab), Boujdour, and Institute of Management and its picturesque and exotic souks (markets) I am any ally of the United States Es Smara as well as parts of Tan- Business Technology (IMBT) with colorful displays of foods, handicrafts via the Moroccan-American Treaty Tan and Laayoune fall within Rabat and textiles. Close by is the Roman City of of Friendship, the oldest non-broken Moroccan-claimed Mohamed Premier University , Volubilis, now a UNESCO World Heritage friendship treaty. It was negotiated site. by Thomas Barclay and signed by Executive branch: Chief of state: Oujda Marrakech has many historical sites as well John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. King MOHAMED VI (since 23 Mohammed V University, Rabat as exquisite shopping bazaars. Opportuni- It has been in continuous effect July 1999), Mohammed V University ties to experience luxurious palaces, exotic since 1787. Head of government: Prime Min- Agdal, Rabat kasbahs, museums, casinos, golf courses, Portuguese efforts to invade and ister ___. Mohammed V University mountains, lush oases, and fabulous market- control the Atlantic coast in the Education is free and compulsory Souissi, Rabat places. fifteenth century did not profoundly through primary school (age 15). Moulay Ismail University , Other cities include Agadir, Essaouira, Fes, affect the Mediterranean heart of List of universities in Morocco Meknès Marrakech, Meknes, Mohammadia, Oujda, Morocco. Many former Portuguese Main article: List of universities Sidi Mohamed Benabdellah Uni- Ouarzazat, Safi, Salè, Tangier and Tétouan. forts are integrated into my coastal in Morocco versity , Fes My climate is Mediterranean, becoming cities. Abdelmalek Essaâdi University , University of Al Karaouine, more extreme towards my mountainous With my capital at Rabat, there Tétouan - Tanger Fes interior regions. My coastal plains are rich are 37 provinces and 2 wilayas; Al Akhawayn University, Université Moulay Slimane (for- and accordingly, they comprise the back- Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni bone for agriculture. Forests cover about Ifrane merly called Cadi Ayyad Univer Africa Travel Magazine La Mamounia, Marrakech. A Grand Hotel’s Joyous Return to Elegance by Jerry W. Bird Association held its first Cultural We were not disappointed! ing the Art Deco style so popular Photo Ops galore! cock’s “The Man Who Knew Too and Ecotourism Symposium here During this summer’s visit for a in the 1920s, com- Where else are many walls and Much.” Charlton Heston, Omar Muguette Goufrani, our maga- in 1996, our Bastille Day gala evening hosted bined with tradi- buildings tinted in a rich pastel Sharif, Nicole Kidman, Sylves- zine’s Associate Editor, whose magazine was by the French Consulate, we tional Moroccan peach, with broad boulevards and ter Stallone and Tom Cruise are father owned a thriving tour opera- represented by were simply amazed at the major designs that were promenades lined with rows and a few of the celebrities who’ve tion in Morocco, has fond memo- editors Muguette development and the sophistica- carried through to rows of orange trees, with ripe stayed here. Modern as today’s ries of La Mamounia. “This grand Goufani and tion of the city since 2002. More the furnishings and fruit dangling from their branches most elegant world class hotels in hotel was a favorite meeting Karen Hoffman, recently we did a complete city decor. like holiday ornaments? terms of facilities, yet furnished place in Marrakech for our fam- both of whom tour. Learning that La Mamounia A Magnet In 2002, following the ATA Con- and decorated in the art deco tra- ily, friends and clients,” she said. have participat- was closed for major renovations for Prestige ference in Fez, our media team of dition, with an authentic Moorish Muguette mentioned that the hotel ed in ATA events at the time, we waited eagerly for Events Muguette Goufrani, Broadcaster touch. starters. got its name from the beautiful, for 15 years. its grand reopening. The result Marrakech is well Ogo Sow and myself inspected For more information on La Ma- spacious, and perfumed gardens Marrakech captured the hearts of is a fitting tribute to well known known for its conference facili- a wide cross-section of hotel moounia, e-mail airhwy@smartt. - a wedding gift to Prince Moulay all delegates, including African Speaking of movies, several well ties -as a magnet for prestige facilities in Marrakech to give com Mamoun from his father over 200 Tourism Ministers and travel- known films used La Mamounia events - meetings, international our readers and listeners a word years ago. Prost and Marchisio ar- tourism professionals from the as a setting, including “Morocco” events, trade missions and sum- picture of the choices available. chitects designed the hotel, featur- mits. When the Africa Travel USA, Canada and Africa. with Marlene Dietrich, Hitch- 4 Africa Travel Magazine A Grand Dining Experience According to Muguette and her family, La Mamounia has always ranked among the leading hotels in North Africa and the world for the quality and variety of cui- sine.