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Contribution to the Sustainable Management of Coastal Tourism in Morocco through the Evaluation of the Cost of Degrading Services Littoral Ecosystems - Tetouan Coast

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Name of the Asset | Contribution to the Sustainable Management of Coastal Tourism in Morocco through the Evaluation of the Cost of Degrading Services Littoral Ecosystems - Tetouan Coast
Type of Asset | Working Paper
Date | December 2014

Summary

Natural capital is a valuable asset, especially in low-income countries where economic sectors such as tourism and agriculture depend on natural ecosystems. This study attempts to assess the cost of degradation of some of the ecosystem services provided by the beaches and dunes of the Tetouan coast in Morocco, in order to contribute to a better appreciation of the economic value of the coastal area.    

The study provides an economic valuation of the benefits provided by the beach ecosystem. It examines the loss of revenue for hotels due to the degradation of the beaches as compared to the revenue generated from sand mining.

Results show that the beaches of the Tetouan coastline play a core role in the prosperity of the tourism industry, by providing the economy of the region with real economic benefits. However, their accelerated degradation could lead to the decline of tourism with adverse effects on employment and the economy of the region.  

Authors | 

  • Markandya  A.,  Ikerbasque, BC3 (Basque Centre for Climate Change), Bilbao, Spain
  • Mrini  A., *Laboratoire de Cartographie et de Gestion Environnementale et Marine, Faculté des Sciences, Tétouan, Morocco
  • Flayou L., Mohammed V-Agdal University, Rabat, Morocco
  • Snoussi M. Mohammed V-Agdal University, Rabat, Morocco
  • Hout R.  Mohammed V-Agdal University, Rabat, Morocco

Country and/or Region | Morocco 
Name of the Program | Natural Resource Management – Natural Wealth Accounting
Funder(s) |  The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and the French Agency for Development (AFD)

Download the Full Study here (in French)

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