About Tangier
The
city, once Morocco’s leading destination, attracting a
bohemian crowd of artists and writers, is investing millions
of euros in capital projects designed to turn this gateway
to Africa, just 17 kilometres from mainland Europe, into a
major player in the property and tourism markets.
Tangiers’ decline from its 1950s heyday meant it became a
virtual no-go zone for many property buyers. King Mohammed VI, has worked hard since 2001
to reverse these four decades of neglect. King Mohammed has
big plans for a city which he calls the ‘‘gateway to
Africa’’ and where he holidays every August with his family.
As
part of his audacious Vision 2010 plan, he wants to increase
tourism to Morocco fourfold to an annual ten million
visitors with six planned beach resorts along the 2,170 mile
coastline.
A new wadi (mayor) was appointed in Tangiers, the same man
who had transformed Marrakech into a tourist hotspot. He
tore down illegal buildings, tackled the thriving black
market and cleaned up the city. Major infrastructure
projects include a €1.4 billion new port set to become the
largest in Africa, a new motorway linking Casablanca and
Tangiers and a recently announced €1.6 billion TGV train
line linking Marrakech and Tangiers.
‘‘Tangiers
is like an old lady who has finally had a face lift,’’ said
Khadir Amraoui, director general of the Tangiers Tourist
Board. ‘‘The assets were always here but they were well
hidden. Now there are plans to add another 29,000 beds in
the Tangiers and Tetouan region, and the coast from Asilah
to the new port is ready for careful development.”
‘‘Buyers who might have looked to Spain but think the market
there is saturated should consider Tangiers,” said Majid
Bennouna of Dubai-based developers Emaar. ‘‘Prices here are
more affordable with high-quality build, good facilities and
importantly, proximity to both Europe and exotic cities like
Marrakech and Casablanca.”