Resources

RESOURCES


RESOURCES: CASE STUDIES

Author : Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
Section : WTTC Tourism for Tommorrow Awards Case Studies
Year : 2009
Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

Zakoura Foundation for Micro-Credit, Morocco

Community Benefit Award Winner 2009


zakoura1.jpg The Zakoura Foundation has taken micro-credit loans and financial development in rural Morocco to a successful and sustainable level, which brings tourists a preserved and authentic experience and uplifts the wider rural communities of Morocco. This community development organisation, founded in 1995, created the Rural Tourism Programme in 2003 to extend micro-enterprise loans of US$500-$5,000 to individuals to develop tourism-related products focusing on financial, cultural and environmental sustainability. Zakoura provides these loans for the development of accommodation, restaurants, local products and tourism activities in three rural regions of Morocco.


The key to the programme’s success is the personal, hands-on involvement of the loan officers. Since loans are only granted to individuals, each beneficiary receives direct advice, coaching and monitoring on the development of their rural tourism enterprise. The loan officers assist not only in the application process, but also help draw up a business plan, provide ongoing support, and play a crucial role in capacity building, teaching the skills and knowledge to build and sustain a tourism business.

Each beneficiary also receives assistance and advice on the installation of water-saving devices and strategies in a region of water scarcity. Zakoura has extended its resources to provide more than finance: through its personal relationships, its beneficiaries develop an understanding of the tourism market, and how their rural tourism product can provide a great product and service for tourists, building confidence for ongoing development and success.

zakoura2.jpg

Zakoura also recognises that culture and heritage are intrinsic to the rural tourism product and actively encourages its clients to ensure that their culture and heritage is the basis of their enterprise. Families have been able to restore traditional town houses that have been theirs for generations, allowing them to share their heritage with visitors. By only funding individuals committed to engaging in traditional methods and activities based on Moroccan cultural heritage, Zakoura helps to protect that cultural heritage.

Zakoura has implemented a certification scheme for its participants based on France’s Green Key. This rigorous green standard provides a base for further counselling by the loan officer to the beneficiaries and local community members. Those enterprises that have achieved this sustainable tourism certification display their achievement with pride, and as a competitive marketing and operations’ advantage. Zakoura has brought its experience, knowledge and resources to support and develop a rural tourism industry, which more directly and concretely benefits rural communities throughout Morocco. Zakoura has committed to creating sustainable rural tourism development by providing leadership and opportunity in a highly individualised way, and is one of the few examples internationally where micro-credit loan financing is being used successfully as a tool for rural community tourism development.


1-2 Queen Victoria Terrace, Sovereign Court, London E1W 3HA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7481 8007     Fax: +44 (0) 20 7488 1008
Email: info@tourismfortomorrow.com   Web: www.tourismfortomorrow.com     www.wttc.org


List of Articles
No. Subject Datesort
20 WTTC case studies Whale Watch Kaikoura Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased from Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publ...

Author: Stephen L. Wearing & Paul A. Cunningham 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

19 WTTC case studies Namibia’s Communal Conservancy Tourism Sector Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased from Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publ...

Author: Joram Ndlovu 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

18 WTTC case studies Back to the Roots: Agritourism in India Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased from Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publ...

Author: Nicole Häusler & Dörte Kasüske 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

17 WTTC case studies Zakynthos: Supply Chain Management and Customers’ Involvemen... Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased by Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publis...

Author: Marianna Sigala 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

16 WTTC case studies Corporate Social Responsibility and the Sustainable Tourism ... Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased by Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publis...

Author: Cynthia S. Deale 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

15 WTTC case studies Banyan Tree: Embracing the Environment, Empowering People Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased from Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publ...

Author: Tanya MacLaurin & Michael Chiam Kah Min 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

14 WTTC case studies Accor Standing for Children’s Rights in Tourism Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased from Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publ...

Author: Camelia Tepelus 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

13 WTTC case studies Tourism and the Great Barrier Reef: Healthy Reef, Healthy In... Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased by Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publis...

Author: Chris Briggs, Gianna Moscardo, Laurie Murphy, Margaret Gooch & Brian King 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

12 WTTC case studies Montenegro: Wild Beauty Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased by Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publis...

Author: Christian Baumgartner 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

11 WTTC case studies Planning for Sustainability: The Okavango Delta Management Plan Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased from Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publ...

Author: Haretsebe Manwa 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

10 WTTC case studies Alpine Pearls: A Network Promoting Environmentally Friendly ... Nov 29, 2013

The case study has been published in the book International Cases in Sustainable Travel & Tourism and can be purchased from Goodfellow Publishers. To receive an exclusive 10% discount on the book enter the code BESTENGP at checkout when buying directly from the Goodfellow Publ...

Author: Dagmar Lund-Durlacher, Anja Hergesell & Karmen Mentil 

Section: International Cases in Sustainable Tourism Book Contributions 

» WTTC case studies Zakoura Foundation for Micro-Credit, Morocco file Oct 13, 2013

Zakoura Foundation for Micro-Credit, Morocco Community Benefit Award Winner 2009 The Zakoura Foundation has taken micro-credit loans and financial development in rural Morocco to a successful and sustainable level, which brings tourists a preserved and authentic experience and upl...

Author: Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 

Section: WTTC Tourism for Tommorrow Awards Case Studies 

8 WTTC case studies NatureAir, Costa Rica file Oct 13, 2013

NaturAir, Costa Rica Conservation Award Winner 2009 Founded in 1990 and purchased in 2001 by the Nature Group, NatureAir – a passenger airline based in San Jose, Costa Rica – is setting a global precedent by fully mitigating its fleet’s carbon footprint through high-impact local c...

Author: Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 

Section: WTTC Tourism for Tommorrow Awards Case Studies 

7 WTTC case studies Marriott International Inc, USA & Global file Oct 13, 2013

Marriott International Inc, USA & Global Global Tourism Award Winner 2009 Founded in 1927, Marriott International Inc is one of the world’s largest hospitality groups with over 3,000 lodging properties, 17 brands and more than 151,000 employees. The company’s sustainability go...

Author: Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 

Section: WTTC Tourism for Tommorrow Awards Case Studies 

6 WTTC case studies Grupo PUNTACANA, Dominican Republic file Oct 13, 2013

Grupo PUNTACANA, Dominican Republic Destination Stewardship Award Winner 2009 Punta Cana is the biggest tourism destination in the Dominican Republic, and the third biggest in the Caribbean, attracting more than 2 million visitors a year. What began as a hotel development in the e...

Author: Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 

Section: WTTC Tourism for Tommorrow Awards Case Studies 

5 BESTEN case studies Xanterra LLC: You Can't Save What Measure... Corporate Envir... file Oct 13, 2013

Case 3: Xanterra LLC: You Can't Save What Measure...Corporate Environmental Sustainability Xanterra is the USA’s largest national park concessioner, operating hotels, lodges, restaurants, retail, campgrounds and transportation systems in more than 20 locations, including: Grand Ca...

Author: Jack Carlson & Deborah Edwards 

Section: Industry Forum Case 

Think Tank Topic: Innovation for Sustainable Tourism 

4 BESTEN case studies Diablo Canyon Rural Planning Area file Oct 13, 2013

Case 2: Diablo Canyon Rural Planning Area Diablo Trust is a land management team that was initiated in 1993 by two farming families the Metzgers and the Prossers to provide a forum for the community to actively participate in land stewardship. The Diablo Trust is an innovative app...

Author: Jack Carlson & Deborah Edwards 

Section: Industry Forum Case 

Think Tank Topic: Innovation for Sustainable Tourism 

3 BESTEN case studies Tasting Arizona file Oct 13, 2013

Case 1: Tasting Arizona Tasting Arizona is a consortium of tourism, non-government, indigenous, farming, education, community, festival and food organizations that aim to provide ‘local flavor’ to customers in Arizona (see Table 1). Tasting Arizona began as a series of workshops h...

Author: Jack Carlson & Deborah Edwards 

Section: Industry Forum Case 

Think Tank Topic: Innovation for Sustainable Tourism 

2 BESTEN case studies Innovation for Sustainable Tourism Case Studies file Oct 13, 2013

Introduction to the Case Studies BEST EN TTVII hosted an industry forum facilitated by BEST EN Committee Member, Dr. Deborah Edwards in which three local practitioners from Arizona described their sustainable tourism products, how they deal with the barriers to innovation and how ...

Author: Jack Carlson & Deborah Edwards 

Section: Industry Forum Case 

Think Tank Topic: Innovation for Sustainable Tourism 

1 BESTEN case studies Early BEST Case Studies file Oct 10, 2013

Early BEST Case Studies Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel, an initiative of The Conference Board in association with the World Travel and Tourism Council, developed a series of case study publications. These highlight successful business practices utilized by travel and ...

Author: Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST) 

AAA