Under the framework of enhancing tourism and culture in old Moroccan cities, a valuation program of economic activities and improving standards of living was launched in the old city of Fes (2020 – 2024) to preserve traditional professions and improve living standards.
The launch of this program was overseen by King Mohammed VI at a cost of 670 million dirhams (around 67 million dollars). It will ensure the preservation of the historic architecture of the city and will highlight this millennial civilization that was listed on the World Heritage List in 1981 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The program also aims to enhance the tourist and cultural appeal of old cities and its civilizational and human heritage, and preserve its status as a space for living, work, and the production of wealth. It also aims to improve its social economy.
The new program includes more than 1,197 sites and involves the restoration and rehabilitation of the heritage of Fes. It will involve a civilizational reconsideration and modernization, enhancing the tourist and economic appeal of the city-museum. In addition, it will improve its social services and address its collapse-prone buildings.
To reach these goals, a partnership and funding agreement was signed between Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research Said Amzazi, Minister of Urbanism, National Land Settlement, Housing and Policy of the City Nezha Bouchareb, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Craft and Social Economy Nadia Fattah, Minister of Youth and Sports Hassan Abyaba, the government official spokesperson, Said Zanibir, and others.
King Mohammed VI visited a hotel’s restoration site, a project that is part of the program’s supplementary framework for Fes (2018 - 2023), the funding of which was signed on May 14, 2018 in Rabat and aims to contribute to the preservation of heritage and improve traditional jobs in hotels and the working conditions of artisans.
This program includes the restoration of 11 historic sites, 10 places of worship and 40 spas, the rehabilitation of 39 sites for traditional crafts and commerce and the improvement of the civilizational scene and infrastructure (17 sites), as well as the rehabilitation of Dar al-Makina.
