Residents perception of tourist development and the environment: a study from Morocco

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1 International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology Vol. 16, No. 4, August 2009, Residents perception of tourist development and the environment: a study from Morocco Lisa Ernoul* Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, F Arles, France A perception study of the impacts that a new beach resort has, and will have, on the resident population in the northeast of Morocco was implemented during the construction phase of the resort. The residents have felt the impacts on local development, incomes, quality of life and the environment, and expressed their perception of how the opening of the new site will continue to impact their community. The study shows differences concerning the type of impact according to each professional sector. Despite the different perceptions, residents seem united in their overall concerns and fears about the how the new beach resort will impact the environment. Keywords: perception; impact; tourist development; Morocco; environment Introduction Tourism impacts and pressures The Mediterranean coast is over 45,000-km long, with an average population pressure of 6000 people per kilometre of coastline (UNEP/MAP/PAP 2001). Coastal zone management in a Mediterranean white paper estimates that, by 2025, this pressure will rise to more than 11,000 people per kilometre due to coastal urbanization and tourism. For over 80% of countries, tourism is one of the top five export categories, and for around 40% of countries, it is the main source of foreign exchange earnings (Becken and Hay 2007). Tourism has direct and indirect impacts on the local and national economy, the environment and the quality of life of the local population. The United Nations World Tourist Organization addresses these issues through the promotion of sustainable tourism; stating that sustainable tourism should make optimal use of environmental resources, respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities and ensure viable long-term economic operations (2008). Economic aspects of tourism often hold the most weight in studies and decision-making processes. Tourism is seen as the key to development for many poor or developing countries. However, Becken and Hay (2007) suggest that there is a risk for countries to become dependent on tourism as a revenue generator, given that they have little control over demand and tourist flows. Tourism is represented as a positive economic development tool because it contributes to the gross national product, but tourist activities also have negative economic impacts. Many studies have shown that much tourist expenditure does not remain at the destination due to tourist leakages, where the majority of the profit returns to the tourists home counties through travel agencies and package tours (GESAMP 2001; Beck and Hay 2007). The construction and improvements that international tourism require are also financed by local taxpayers (Becken and Hay 2007). Environmental impacts relating to the loss of biodiversity and pressures on limited natural resources has become increasingly recognized since the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in 1972, and was reinforced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development became key international issues during the 1980s and 1990s, as seen through the Rio de Janeiro Declaration made by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in As Pearce (1981) explains, planning is necessary to coordinate tourism development in order to balance competing and sometimes conflicting claims on limited resources, to maximize the positive impacts and minimize the negative impacts of tourism. Negative impacts from tourism occur when the level of visitor use is greater than the environment s ability to cope with this use within the acceptable limits of change. Uncontrolled conventional tourism poses potential threats to many natural areas around the world ( United Nations Environment Programme 2008). The limited natural resources, including, but not limited to, fresh water in southern and eastern Mediterranean countries is especially worrisome due to the impact that it has on biodiversity and the local population (European Environment Agency 1999). Tourism in Morocco In 2001, the King of Morocco developed Vision 2010, a 10-year development plan that included the Plan Azur tourism package. Plan Azur focuses on activities that will attract five-times more visitors to Morocco by 2010 through development of six huge tourist complexes and the internal infrastructure necessary to support this mass tourism (airports, highways, etc.). The six beach resorts are located throughout the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts and are being developed by private businesses * ernoul@tourduvalat.org ISSN print/issn online # 2009 Taylor & Francis DOI: /

2 International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 229 (Moroccan Tourism Ministry 2008). The plans for the second phase of Vision 2010, called Vision 2020, are already being developed, focusing on the possible construction of additional beach resorts (Direction des Investissements 2008). The first complex developed in Plan Azur is in Saïdia, along the Mediterranean coast in the northeast of Morocco. This complex extends over 700 ha and 6 km of beaches and includes three hotels, condominiums and houses that can host up to 30,000 people (Mediterrania-Saïdia 2008). The local population s perception Most international tourist destinations have been developed by national governments and international investors, with little consideration of the local population. The perceptions of the local population are rarely considered. In order to comprehend perceptions of the local population regarding tourism, several studies have been conducted focusing on special events (e.g. Soutar and McLeod 1993; Jackson 2008). Their results suggest that tourism had a very positive impact on the residents quality of life. However, such studies concern a single event rather than the development of a tourist resort on a long-term basis (Hernandez et al. 1996). The present study attempts to determine the local population s perception of tourist development in a new beach resort in Morocco. As Mitwasi et al. (2006) highlight, the impact of tourism in the Mediterranean has not been thoroughly examined and must be studied through a perspective larger than the impacts on the economy and the environment. The questionnaire administered to residents considers their perception pertaining to the impact of the new tourist facility and implications of the new beach resort during the construction phase. Materials and methods Site description Saïdia is a small Mediterranean coastal town with a permanent resident population of approximately 4000 people according to Morocco s 2004 national survey (RGPH 2004). The town and its surrounding beaches are well used by national and international tourists during the peak summer months, with an average summer population ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 people. Approximately 90% of the houses in the village are used as vacation homes and are only occupied at weekends and during the summer months (Malhoui and Sbaa unpublished report 2008). In their socioeconomic diagnostic, Malhoui and Sbaa highlight urban problems linked to the population growth, particularly sanitation and flooding. Tourism and activities related to tourism are the principle income generators for the village, but current tourism is rather chaotic and mainly composed of Moroccan nationals living in Morocco or abroad (SMAP III El Kala-Moulouya unpublished report 2007). The Moulouya Estuary borders Saïdia municipality and is an Important Bird Area and Ramsar site covering over 2700 ha of riparian forests, sand dunes, beaches and 400 ha of wetlands (Figure 1). It is the largest estuary ecosystem in Figure 1. The study area in Morocco.

3 230 L. Ernoul the Maghreb region and home to dozens of threatened and endemic plant, animal, reptile and bird species (MedWetCoast 1999; Krakimel 2003; Ramsar 2007). The estuary not only contributes to the ecological sphere for migratory birds but also plays a key role in supporting the livelihoods of over 43,700 inhabitants living in both rural and urban contexts (Ramsar 2007). The long, sandy beaches surrounding the site play a role in supporting the national economy and have motivated development of the tourist industry. In 2006, a Spanish constructing firm bought the land and rights to build the first beach resort complex as part of Plan Azur. Project construction began in 2006 and was originally scheduled for opening in the summer of The construction firm has recently postponed the opening date to summer 2009 (Rboub 2008). The site has been the object of several international conservation programmes funded by the European Union (SMAP III Integrated Coastal Zone Management in El Kala-Moulouya), the United Nations Development Programme (MedWetCoast), Canada s International Development Research Centre and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (Moroccan coastal management: Building capacity to adapt to climate change through sustainable policies and planning). In 2005, the Moulouya Estuary was official recognised as a Ramsar site (Ramsar 2007). Methods The study took place in March 2008, 2 years into the construction phase of the Saïdia beach resort complex and 1 year prior to the official opening date. The target population was the permanent residents in Saïdia village and different professional groups with in a 10-km radius of the new tourist site. Six different semi-structured questionnaires were developed, one for the residents of Saïdia and one for each of the five primary professional sectors (farmers, fishermen, small businesses, tourist agents and restaurants). One market baseline was also established in two local markets. The questionnaires were designed to obtain information about the resident demographics, impact during the construction phase, and perceptions of impacts that the new site will have on the local development, quality of life, personal earnings and the environment. After a formal authorization from the local authorities, eight university students (five men and three women) were hired and trained on the survey methodology. The village of Saïdia was divided into seven zones, and within each zone 35 residents were randomly chosen to respond to the questionnaire. The professional sectors are more geographically specific, and the respondents were randomly chosen within more concentrated geographic areas. The fieldwork took place over 4 days in the second week of March An average of min was dedicated to each of the semistructured questionnaires. The estimated permanent resident population in Saïdia according to the latest demographic census in 2004 was 3338 people, with a growth rate of 2.68% per year (RGPH 2004). Taking into account the growth trends, we estimated the 2008 permanent resident population to be 4000 people. We interviewed 250 residents in order to establish a 95% confidence level with a confidence interval of six. Results The majority of tourist agents are only present during the tourist season (from May to September), limiting the ability to find respondents for the tourist agent questionnaire. The rest of the questionnaires were completed as planned in the methodology. The surveyed population was made up of residents who currently live in Saïdia; 50% of the population is originally from Saïdia and 50% are people who migrated into the area from other parts of Morocco. Of the migrant population, 89% migrated for work-related reasons and the remaining 11% migrated for family or personal reasons. Of the working population, construction (33%) and small businesses (14%) are the most important professional sectors, followed by services (including restaurant and hotel workers) and civil servants. About 40% of the surveyed population claimed to have had work linked to the new beach resort. Of the 40% who responded favourably, 71% worked for 1 6 months and 22% worked for more than 6 months. About 19% of the total population claimed to have been affected (either positively or negatively) by the new resort construction. When the participants were asked if they would like to work in the new beach resort, the majority of respondents (58%) answered negatively. Of the 42% who responded favourably, 44% had no specific working plans, but were open to whatever possibilities exist. About 21% planned to continue working in the construction sector, 14% either as security officers or drivers, and 7% planned to open their own businesses linked to the new resort. Concerning the perception of the impact of the new beach resort on incomes, quality of life, local development and the environment; the only category that the majority (64%) of the population responded to favourably was the perceived impact on local development (Figure 2). Slightly less (49% and 48%, respectively) think that the new resort will have a positive impact on their personal earnings and quality of life (Figures 3 and 4). On the other hand, a large majority of the population (68%) believes that the new beach resort will have a negative impact on the environment. When asked the reasons for this negative perception 64% 15% 21% Figure 2. Perception of the impact of the resort on local development.

4 International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 231 Figure 3. Figure 4. life. 49% 48% 23% 29% Perception of the impact of the resort on the quality of 10% 68% 21% 22% 30% Perception of the impact of the resort on earnings. Figure 5. Perception of the impact of the resort of the environment. of the impact on the environment, 43% of the population cited deforestation as their primary concern, followed closely by pollution (31%) and then by beach degradation (21%) and flooding (4%). The results from the small business interviews show that 67% of businesses have perceived a change since the beginning of the construction phase. Of those businesses who reported a change, 88% declared increased sales. The large majority (75%) of small business owners believe that their sales will continue to increase with the opening of the new beach resort next year. Of the restaurants surveyed, 81% reported an increase in sales since the beginning of the construction phase. Their perception of the impact after the opening of the new resort on their sales is mixed; 56% believe that their sales will increase due to the increase in the tourist population, and 36% believe that their sales will decrease because the new tourist population will remain in the resort facilities and the existing tourist population will also be attracted to the new services. The fishing population has stabilized, with the average fisherman having 11 years of experience. All (100%) of the fishermen surveyed have reported a change in species present in recent years, but none stated that they have changed their fishing practices. A total of 78% of fishermen undertake diverse secondary activities to supplement their incomes: 77% have work related to the new resort, but only 33% have planned projects linked to the resort after its opening. About 71% believe that fish sales and prices will increase with the opening of the new resort, but 28% think that natural resources will suffer. The agricultural worker sector is quite stable, with 64% of farmers working in their field for over 10 years. Vegetables (tomatoes 30% and zucchini 32%) are the most profitable crops, but wheat makes up the largest crop area. About 55% of farmers are also herders. Only 9% of the agricultural population have had any type of employment linked to the new beach resort during the construction phase; however, 26% claim to have been affected by the project through the loss of land (23%) and strains on limited fresh water supplies (17%). The primary concerns of the agricultural sector are related to water (74%), related to increased salinity, lack of irrigation water and increased pollution. Only16% of the agricultural population is concerned about the loss of agricultural land due to the new beach resort and road construction, and 10% mentioned difficulties due to increased prices of agricultural inputs. Discussion Despite the huge influx of jobs during the construction phase, only a minority of the local population (40%) have benefited from direct work opportunities. Out of the 40% who worked directly for the new resort, 88% worked for less than 6 months during the 3-year construction phase. This suggests that the construction phase was less attractive to the local population and that the majority of workers came from other areas to find temporary work opportunities. No statistical data were available concerning the origins of construction workers and requests to the construction companies were denied; however, Iraqi (2008) noted that residents have shown a lack of interest in working during the construction phase as workers are paid 50% less than the normal wages, causing construction companies to transport trucks full of workers from other areas of Morocco to work on the site. The increase in temporary workers seems to have indirectly benefited the private sector, which has perceived an increase in sales (small businesses and restaurants) during this initial phase. Although this increased population benefited the local businesses, the sanitary and living conditions were inadequate for the new workers (Khalfallah 2008), thus increasing pressure on coastal natural resources. The impact on the agricultural professional group is quite different, with only 26% benefiting from direct work opportunities, and 23% complaining of the negative impacts related to the loss of land and the strain on fresh water supplies. Considering that farmers make up the majority of the population (78%) in the municipality (Melhaoui and Sbai, unpublished report 2008), it is important to consider the implications on their livelihoods during construction and the impact that they have already felt from the new site. This could eventually lead to a shift in population demographics and local social structure.

5 232 L. Ernoul The perception of the future impact after the official opening of the Saïdia beach resort differs according to the type of impact and among professional groups. The perceived future impact on incomes for the resident population as a whole is questionable, with 30% of the population unsure of how the new resort will affect their incomes. However, when broken down by professional group, the results are clearer. The majority of the small business sector (75%) believes that their incomes will continue to increase with the opening of the new resort, compared with 54% of restaurant professionals and 17% of farmers. If these perceptions are confirmed with the opening of the resort, the economic result could cause an imbalance between professional groups, creating new social classes. A large majority (68%) of residents of Saïdia perceive a negative impact on the environment of the new beach resort; however, 64% believe that the impact will be positive for local development. The perception of adverse environmental impacts is apparent for the majority of the population and for the professional sectors. Deforestation, pollution and beach degradation are serious concerns for 68% of the population. The results of these impacts have already been felt the agricultural professionals and concerns about water (quality and quantity) are perceived as real threats by the population as a whole. Conclusions Tourism is often seen as a tool for increasing economic activity in developing countries. New tourist complexes and services are rapidy being constructed in Mediterranean countries, with the justification of increased demand and economic opportunities for the local populations (Pearce 1981; Becken and Hay 2007; Moroccan Tourism Ministry 2008). The resort complex in Saïdia is almost 80% complete and will open in Media sources provide conflicting views concerning the new beach resort. The local environmental platform highlights the environmental impacts of construction, humanitarian organizations note the poor labour conditions for workers, the tourist industry s publicity targets European future investors, and the Moroccan Government highlights construction progress and increased employment opportunities. All of these voices seem to mute opinions of the local population. This study tries to demonstrate the impact that the construction has had on the local population and their perceptions of the impact that the new beach resort will have on their future. The differing views expressed by the local professional group contradict the assertion of Dogan (1989) and Wang et al. (2006), who argue that the initial reaction to tourist development, particularly in rural or Third World settings, is likely to be homogenous among the resident population. This study seems to indicate that the various professional groups have distinct perceptions concerning the impact of the new site, similar to results in Mason and Cheyne (2000). This study also questions the findings of Andriotis and Vaughn (2003) that highly educated people were more likely to express concern about tourism impacts. The concerns in this study seem more related to the professional sector and the perceived impact that tourism will have on each professional group. The professional groups have clear perceptions about how the site will affect them personally, and seem to put this above the overall impacts that the new site will have on the community. This supports the recommendation to encourage the authorities to highlight the long-term accruing, personal benefits of tourism development (Wang et al. 2006). The short-term benefits relating to increased income could easily be promoted; however, the environmental impacts that are perceived by the local population, and verified by scientific studies, bring the long-term benefits of the new beach resort into question. If the local population does not have the necessary fresh water to produce and live, what are the possible long-term benefits of the resort for the population? References Andriotis K, Vaughn RD Urban residents attitudes toward tourism development: the case of Crete. J Travel Res. 42(2): Becken S, Hay J Tourism and climate change: risks and opportunities. UK: Channel View Publications. Direction des Investissements de Maroc Available from: (Accessed July 2008). Dogan H Forms of adjustment: socio-cultural impacts of tourism. Ann Tourism Res. 16(2): European Environment Agency Summary of the State and pressures on the marine and coastal Mediterranean environment; [accessed 2008 July]. 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