Chefchaouen Province is located in the northwest of Morocco, in the heart of the Jbala region. It covers a territory of 3310.36 km² for 422,891 inhabitants according to the General Census of Housing and Population of 2004, stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the mountains of the Rif Valley.
The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with some differences between the coastline and the mountain areas, where winter is colder. It is a territory marked by a strong rurality since only 10% of the population lives in urban areas.
The city of Chefchaouen or the blue city of Morocco is the capital of the province, the only urban commune in a province that includes 26 rural communes. Chefchaouen, a fortified city, built at the foot of the mountains (600 m above sea level) in the fifteenth century. Now has nearly 45,709 divided between the old medina and the new city.
What makes this territory unique is its natural diversity and rich cultural heritage, on which tourism is based. The mountains, the 145,200 ha of forest space (40% of the province’s area), the hydrographic network, the fauna and flora diversity make this territory a unique place that captivates both the visitors and inhabitants.
The cultural heritage is also very varied, whether in urban or rural areas. The old medina is the emblem of a rich local history and culture, embellished by many know-how and agricultural and artisanal products.
Over the past ten years, rural areas have opened up to tourism, thanks in particular to the interventions of associations working on the development of local communities. In recent years, the territory has been awarded a set of national and international recognition. In 2006, Chefchaouen region was recognized by UNESCO as part of the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve covering northern Morocco and southern Spain.
This recognition paved the way for multiple cross-border cooperation projects aimed at the socio-economic development of the territory with a strong focus on the sustainable development of tourism potential between the two shores of the Mediterranean. In 2010, Chefchaouen was recognized as an emblematic community of the Mediterranean diet by UNESCO, a sign of the richness of these culinary traditions and the diversity of these local products.
Undeniably, Chefchaouen province diversity of endemic species and breeds, combined with the many traditional know-how, make the territory rich in products variety such as fresh goat cheese, medicinal and aromatic plants, olive and oleasters products, figs, etc.
This food culture is today a major tourist attraction still little used by the sector professionals. Finally, the same year, the city was recognized as the first “Eco-city” of Morocco, in collaboration with local association, to achieve sustainable and integrated development
The dynamism of civil society and the support given by public actors, contributed to extend the work to a provincial level. Together they contributed to setting a dynamic of sustainable development based on strategies to promote local specialties for both Chefchaouen city and the province in general.
Tourism thus affects the entire territory of Chefchaouen. More than just an economic activity, tourism must be a lever to preserve and enhance the region’s heritage and to play a leading role in the territory development
To achieve this, the development of tourism activities must be planned for the entire province to be efficient, coherent and comprehensive.
