Assessment of the Environmental Dimension in Tourism Planning in Morocco: The City of Fez as a Case Study

Abstract

environmental considerations are integrated into tourism planning in Morocco through a case study of the city of Fez, one of the country's most prominent tourist destinations, distinguished by its rich cultural, historical, and environmental heritage. The research is based on the hypothesis that tourism planning in Morocco has undergone significant transformations toward adopting a sustainable tourism approach, particularly following the implementation of recent strategic orientations. However, the effective integration of the environmental dimension at the local level continues to face various constraints and challenges. The study adopts a descriptive–analytical approach supported by statistical data to assess the evolution of tourist arrivals in Fez and their implications for the local tourism environment. It also highlights the role of tourism infrastructure as a fundamental pillar for achieving environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the research examines the changing status of environmental considerations within national tourism plans by distinguishing between the period prior to 2010, which was characterized by limited integration of environmental concerns, and the subsequent period, which witnessed growing attention to environmental issues and sustainable development principles. The study concludes that the success of sustainable tourism planning in Fez largely depends on the alignment of national tourism policies with local environmental characteristics, the strengthening of environmental governance, and the development of environmentally friendly tourism infrastructure. Such measures are essential to achieving a balance between the utilization and conservation of tourism resources, thereby supporting sustainable tourism development in the long term.