
The main objective of this call for projects is to enrich and densify the entertainment offer of the Agadir Souss-Massa destination. To boost tourist activity in the region, the Regional Development Company launched a call for applications, which was positively received by project leaders. A real breath of fresh air. It is a fact: small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as very small enterprises (VSEs) in the tourism sector play an essential role in job creation and the generation of wealth at the local level. This is precisely the objective of the call for projects launched by the Regional Development Company of the very small, small and medium-sized tourist enterprise Souss-Massa (SDR TPME tourist SM). This operation is open from February 10 to March 10, 2023. At the heart of this initiative, the support and technical and financial support of tourism SMEs in the region, through subsidies and investment bonuses that can range from 10 to 50 % of the investment amount. 42% of requests made by young people Since its launch, the call for projects has aroused great interest. To date, more than 500 registration forms have been registered. It also emerges from the applications identified so far that nearly 70% are existing VSMEs, of which nearly three quarters are SARLs. Women represent 20% of applications and the age group of 26 to 35 years constitutes nearly 42% of applications, all genders combined. From primary to doctorate, applications cover all levels of study, but geographically, nearly 50% of applicants are concentrated in the Agadir region. The two categories that attract the most applicants are entertainment and leisure, as well as sports and well-being. It should be recalled that this call for projects is part of the implementation of the support program for existing tourist VSMEs who wish to carry out a transformation program aimed at upgrading their structure. It also aims to improve their competitiveness in order to achieve operational excellence. The operation is also open to candidates interested in business creation projects and to promoters of new tourism development projects. It is aimed at the sectors of tourist accommodation, travel agencies, entertainment and leisure, sports and well-being, tourist catering, tourist guides and tourist transport. Priority to entertainment and leisure projects The main objective of this call for projects is to enrich and intensify the entertainment offer of the destination of Agadir Souss-Massa. To this end, projects from the entertainment and leisure sectors, as well as innovative projects will be given priority in the selection process. It should be noted that an evaluation commission will be responsible for selecting the projects that meet the required criteria. It is important to emphasize that this operation is part of a partnership between the government, the elected authorities, the local authority, the Moroccan Society of Tourism Engineering (SMIT) and the Chamber of Commerce (CCIS SM) . Created in 2022, the SDR TPME tourist SM aims to breathe new life into a vital sector of the regional economy, which has been damaged by the health crisis. After this first edition, other calls for projects should be launched.