Russian newspaper "Profile" on Saturday highlighted the tourism assets of Morocco, "a country for all times and all seasons."
In a story under the title "Aladdin's Tale: What kind of vacation does Morocco offer to tourists?," the business newspaper asked Russian tour operators about what makes Morocco a "unique and distinctive" destination, in the wake of the resumption of direct flights by Royal Air Maroc between Russia and Morocco.
According to Arthur Mouradyan, vice-president of the Association of Russian Tour Operators (ATOR) in charge of outbound tourism, Morocco is a "perfect destination for business travelers and individual tourists."
If the flight program between the two countries expands, "Morocco could become an all-season vacation option for Russians," he told the newspaper, highlighting the Kingdom's rich historical heritage.
"There are things to see here, because even in the 21st century, the Kingdom has preserved its colorful spirit," Mouradyan was quoted as saying.
The view was echoed by Maya Kotlyar, founder and head of Mayel Travel, who described Morocco as a "unique" destination, not to be compared with Egypt or even Tunisia.
"It is exactly the Orient that we imagine from the tales of Aladdin and Ali Baba," she explained, adding that Morocco is "a country of excursions.
"Morocco offers a completely different landscape: green forests and fields in the North, and the Sahara desert in the South," writes "Profile" in its Travel section, adding that Morocco's cities are a mix of European and Arab cultures.
Morocco "is the only country in Africa where rail links are well-developed," stresses the publication, pointing to the fact that trains connect all major cities in the Kingdom.
The newspaper also gives an overview of the tourist offer, assets and specificities of cities such as Marrakech, Fez, Agadir, El Jadida or Meknes.
"When you travel to Morocco, don't forget that this country is a kind of Hollywood branch: blockbusters are filmed there almost everywhere," it points out, detailing the impressive list of films and series shot in Morocco.
According to Profile, the small town of Ouarzazate in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains is the real "film capital" of Morocco.
"It seems that Hollywood shoots here almost all the movies taking place in deserts or in antiquity," notes the publication, stressing that Morocco's popularity among Hollywood directors is due in particular to the skills of local workers who can build any set, quickly and at affordable costs.
