Intrepid's boom destination where tourism is helping young women
Katherine MastersAs demand for the North African destination grows, Intrepid Travel is on a mission to scale up its Morocco tours responsibly
Morocco is surging in popularity for Intrepid, with a 75% increase in UK passenger numbers this year compared to last.
The adventure travel operator now has over 30 trips visiting the North African country, with more than 2,000 departures a year. The four newest trips include a comfort-level Classic Morocco and a Mount Toubkal Long Weekend Trek.
Zina Bencheikh, Intrepid’s managing director EMEA, says: “Morocco is incredibly popular, and is growing in demand as people look for good-value holidays not too far from home. Clients are attracted to the country’s dramatically different culture, landscapes and rich history. But more than anything, customers appreciate the warmth and hospitality of Morocco’s people.”
In response to demand, Intrepid has partnered with the Moroccan National Tourism Office to expand the potential of tourism in the country with a focus on responsible development.
EDUCATION PROGRAMMES
Through the not-for-profit Intrepid Foundation, Intrepid supports Education For All (EFA), which runs boarding houses in rural areas, helping girls access education. Many girls are not able to continue their studies beyond primary school as their families cannot afford to pay for transport or accommodation near secondary schools. EFA’s beneficiaries now number more than 640.
Bencheikh explains: “There is a big gender gap when it comes to education in Morocco, especially in rural areas where up to 80% of women are illiterate. EFA runs a series of high-quality boarding houses where girls are given the tools and skills they need to learn and succeed. This can not only change an individual’s life, but also their family, community and wider society.
“EFA sees over 80% of the girls go on to tertiary education, and many into careers in teaching, business and law. Some girls have gone on to work in the tourism industry and even for Intrepid.”
Intrepid travellers who visit the high Atlas Mountains have the chance to meet with a house mother and learn about the project and its impact.
Book it: A 12-day Premium Morocco Explorer tour, from Casablanca to Marrakech via the Sahara, starts from £1,643pp. Flights extra. intrepidtravel.com/uk
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Katherine Masters
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