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The inaugural edition of the Gorges and Oases Forum opened on Friday in Tinghir under the theme: «Gorges and Oases: Drivers of Sustainable Territorial Development in the Region».
Organized by the Tinghir Provincial Tourism Council with the support of the provincial prefecture and local communes, the event aims to promote sustainable development by bringing together stakeholders from the fields of sports, culture, economy, and the environment.
The forum, whose opening ceremony was notably attended by Tinghir's provincial governor Ismail Haykal, features a diverse program of cultural, sporting, artistic, and scientific activities across several communes in the province.
Speaking at the opening, Mohamed Bendidi, president of the Provincial Tourism Council, emphasized that the Tinghir province—rich in both tangible and intangible cultural heritage—is a tourism treasure that calls for integrated strategies to foster sustainable tourism.
For his part, Ibrahim Ait Elqasseh, president of the Tinghir Provincial Council, noted that the forum highlights the natural, cultural, and heritage assets of the province, especially its gorges and oases, which are key elements of the local environmental and cultural identity.
A representative of the National Agency for the Development of Oases and Argan Trees (ANDZOA) added that the forum comes at a time that demands a comprehensive reflection on the current state and future of oasis and gorge regions, given the growing challenges of climate change, socio-economic shifts, and environmental pressures.
Historically, oasis zones have served as natural barriers against sand encroachment and as environmental safeguards, while also acting as important crossroads for rest, trade, and transit, he explained.
The three-day event also featured emotional tributes to renowned Moroccan athletes Hicham El Guerrouj, Brahim Lahlafi, Abdelkader El Mouaziz, and Rachid Mrabti.
The program includes scientific seminars, sporting events, a provincial hackathon focused on preserving oases and gorges, and exhibitions of local products.
