From idea to action: the Association of Friends of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve lays the foundations for responsible ecotourism in Ifrane Park

Since 2023, the AREBICA Association has been implementing the “Networking and ecotourism for biodiversity preservation in Ifrane National Park” project, funded by IUCN Med as part of the PPI OSCAN 3 program.
This project was designed to promote structured, equitable and sustainable ecotourism, while strengthening synergies between ecotourism players and local institutions. Through a combination of targeted actions – raising environmental awareness, promoting local products, capacity building, digitization and marketing support – the project has helped to structure the ecotourism sector in the Ifrane region.

Concrete results for the region

The project has mobilized over 120 direct beneficiaries, including guides, hosts, women’s cooperatives, local community members and tourism operators. In Kharzouza, a local family was helped to set up a homestay, including the construction of a bathroom and a terrace. Two women’s cooperatives benefited from enhanced support: a business plan was drawn up for one cooperative in Aïn Leuh, while another received a 16-tray stainless steel collective dryer, used by more than six cooperatives to preserve and add value to their produce.

At the same time, access to marketing was facilitated by the installation of two solidarity shelves in tourist facilities: the Hôtel L’Empreinte in Ifrane and the Maison Duffal in Azrou. Support was also provided to ensure the cooperatives’ presence at exhibitions, fairs, private sales, solidarity souks and French-speaking spaces.

Field surveys were carried out among ecotourism stakeholders and visitors at four key sites in Ifrane National Park: Cèdre Gouraud, Val d’Ifrane, Moudmam and the town center. These surveys revealed a strong interest in sustainable tourism, while also highlighting specific expectations in terms of infrastructure, coordination between stakeholders and environmental awareness.

A participatory workshop was organized and resulted in the collective validation of an ecotourism charter, officially validated by ANEF, defining the principles of responsible tourism and the shared commitments of the region’s ecotourism players.

A digital platform to structure networking: www.arebica.org

To enhance the visibility of local ecotourism actions and services, AREBICA has designed and launched a digital platform: www.arebica.org

This platform makes it possible to :

– Enhance the profiles of ecotourism players

– Broadcast news, events and conservation actions

– Provide an interactive space for association members

The platform was formally adopted by ANEF at the database validation workshop, in recognition of its usefulness in structuring and centralizing park-wide information. As part of capacity building, more than 20 local players were trained in its use at a dedicated workshop held in Azrou, and another training session was held at the closing workshop on the proper management of the platform and the best methods to adopt for the digital promotion of this platform.

A sustainable momentum

Over the months, the project has succeeded in mobilizing public institutions, private players and civil society, while putting the needs of local communities at the heart of its priorities. Thanks to shared governance and participatory implementation, it has helped to structure the ecotourism offer around common principles, enhance the value of traditional know-how and local resources, and generate sustainable income, particularly for women and young people.

Future prospects for the association

Arebica has selected several strategic perspectives to ensure the sustainability and wider impact of the project:

  • Establishment of a local committee to monitor the ecotourism charter
  • Development of a territorial label “Ecotourisme Ifrane”
    Creation of a biodiversity interpretation center
  • Improved environmental management, particularly of waste and signage
  • Structuring of a regional network of ecotourism players
  • Transposition of the approach to other National Parks, adapting the methodology to local contexts (particularly in the Middle Atlas)

This project is part of the third phase of the Small Initiatives Program for North African CSOs (PPI OSCAN), financed by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), the MAVA Foundation and the Sigrid Rausing Trust Foundation. Subsidized projects aim to conserve species and ecosystems with remarkable biodiversity, and to enhance the benefits of conservation and sustainable livelihoods. To find out more about OSCAN 3 PPI projects: 5.Projects – MUBADARAT (http://mubadarat-uicn.org)