{"id":7989,"date":"2025-06-27T00:56:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T22:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mubadarat-uicn.org\/?p=7989"},"modified":"2025-07-03T12:13:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T10:13:39","slug":"ppi-oscan-3-arebica-a-model-of-sustainable-ecotourism-in-the-heart-of-ifrane-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mubadarat-uicn.org\/en\/ppi-oscan-3-arebica-a-model-of-sustainable-ecotourism-in-the-heart-of-ifrane-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"PPI OSCAN 3 – AREBICA: a model of sustainable ecotourism in the heart of Ifrane National Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"From idea to action: the Association of Friends of the Atlas Cedar Biosphere Reserve lays the foundations for responsible ecotourism in Ifrane Park<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Since 2023, the AREBICA Association has been implementing the \u201cNetworking and ecotourism for biodiversity preservation in Ifrane National Park\u201d project, funded by IUCN Med as part of the PPI OSCAN 3 program.
\nThis 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.<\/p>\n

\n

Concrete results for the region<\/h2>\n
\n

The project has mobilized over 120 direct beneficiaries<\/strong>, 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 A\u00efn 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.<\/p>\n

At the same time, access to marketing was facilitated by the installation of two solidarity shelves in tourist facilities: the H\u00f4tel 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.<\/p>\n

Field surveys were carried out among ecotourism stakeholders and visitors at four key sites in Ifrane National Park: C\u00e8dre 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.<\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n

A digital platform to structure networking: www.arebica.org<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To enhance the visibility of local ecotourism actions and services, AREBICA has designed and launched a digital platform: www.arebica.org<\/a><\/p>\n

This platform makes it possible to :<\/p>\n

– Enhance the profiles of ecotourism players<\/p>\n

– Broadcast news, events and conservation actions<\/p>\n

– Provide an interactive space for association members<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

A sustainable momentum<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

Future prospects for the association<\/h2>\n

Arebica has selected several strategic perspectives<\/strong> to ensure the sustainability and wider impact of the project:<\/p>\n