The territorial governance of the COVID-19 sanitary crisis and the challenges of the tourism actors in the old Medina of Marrakech

Abstract

Tourism is facing one of the biggest crises of all time due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis faced by territories in general and tourist destinations, in particular, requires in-depth studies and special interest from researchers and policymakers. For this reason, this study aims to determine the challenges faced by tourism actors in the ancient Medina of Marrakech during the COVID-19 health crisis. To do so, we adopted a quantitativequalitative method that allowed us to explore the 􀅫ield better. We used semi-structured interviews with decisionmakers in the tourism sector at the national, regional, and central levels and a two-phase questionnaire sent to tourism operators in the Medina of Marrakech. The 􀅫irst phase was conducted remotely during the lockdown, and the second in February 2022. The analysis of the responses shows signi􀅫icant losses of income and employment. Thus, the main reactivation strategies adopted by tourism professionals. The analysis also shows that the management of the health crisis was characterized by centralization and monopolization of power at the central level and that there was no change in the roles of the traditional state. The said management of the crisis is, above all, part of top-down governance limited to particular protagonists, both at the national and local levels, which represents a challenge for territorial governance, given that local realities are hardly the same at the national or territorial level.

Innovation of UNESCO-MAB: An Opportunity for the Territorial and Sustainable Development of the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve

“…From this perspective, the Moroccan state has the ambition to apply these principles of the SDGs, to achieve territorial and sustainable development, to have effective governance (Benhsain & Salhi, 2023) and finally, to apply all the innovations of UNESCO's MAB through the creation of the ODFs. However, this remains a state decision emanating from the central level and labelling from above, which is that of MAB.…”