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Atas agents hail Experiences as boon to Morocco sales
Agents on the second Atas Experiences trip are confident that their excursions will help them recommend and sell Morocco itineraries to their clients.
The three-night event, organised by the Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas), took place earlier this month.
It was attended by more than 50 member agents and featured a range of activities and excursions in the region around Lake Bin el Ouidane in the Atlas Mountains.
Atas director Claire Brighton said: “Since coming home, agents have been telling me how much they enjoyed the variety of excursions and activities on the Experiences event, as well as the Moroccan hospitality.
“They now have a wealth of content and knowledge to share with clients to inspire bookings.”
Agents and suppliers were hosted at the Widiane Resort for networking events, a roundtable discussion of their experiences and a gala dinner.
They also visited three other nearby properties: Hotel Chems du Lac, Dar l’Eau Vive and Ait Chribou Eco Dôme Village.
Excursions on the first full day included a trek with Wendy Wu Tours, followed by lunch with a Berber family; a Moroccan lunch, kayaking and yoga session with Titan Travel; a half-day with G Adventures, visiting a local family for a meal and preparing food selected in a market; and a half-day tour to Ouzoud waterfalls with Riviera Travel.
On the second full day, excursions were a hike with G Adventures to see the Imsfrane Cathedral rock formation, followed by a lunch and bread-making class; a cooking demonstration with freshly picked ingredients, hosted by Newmarket Holidays; a tagine workshop and hike with Not In The Guidebooks; and a boat excursion and traditional lunch with a Berber family, hosted by Intrepid Travel.
Travel Weekly spoke to agents on the Riviera Travel excursion, which was a half-day tour to Ouzoud waterfalls, which are the third highest in Africa.
After viewing the three waterfalls from the top, the agents descended the valley, meeting some Barbary macaques along the way.
At the bottom, they took a short boat trip to the cascades to view the rainbows created by the spray before walking back up 750 steps, past markets, shops and cafes.
Amanda Docherty, Riviera Travel’s national sales manager, accompanied the trip.
“It was a fun way to interact with agents and showcase highlights of the region. This is really off the beaten track,” she said.
“We offer two tours to Morocco and also have a dedicated solos trip. They are performing really well and are really attractive for first-timers to Morocco.”
She hailed the support from Atas and Moroccan National Tourist Office, and said the Experiences event was a “great way” for destinations to highlight their offerings.
“After a showcase like this, agents go back and highlight it to clients and spread the word,” she said.
Agents’ views
Rachel Baber - Once in a Lifetime Holidays
“The waterfalls are a must-see attraction. They are beautiful and the scenery is stunning.
“I’d recommend the boat trip; it would suit clients with a sense of adventure who want to try different things and who may have been to Morocco before.
“The hospitality has been brilliant and the food is excellent, I’d highly recommend it. I will sell Morocco when I get back.”
Joanne Reece - Fred Olsen Travel
“It was amazing and beautiful. The boat trip was a highlight.
“I have just sold a high-end multi-centre Morocco trip.
“It was useful to see the hotels too, as they are so varied.”
Kirsty Mitchell - Travelosophers
“The whole experience was incredible. I liked the monkeys.
“Our guide Mohamed was great – the locals put a lot of effort in.
“I’ve been to Morocco twice. It’s peaceful here – I always feel tranquil in Morocco and immersed in the culture.”
Asma Khan - Advantage Travel Partnership
“It was amazing. The guide made it very special with his sense of humour.
“The boat trip and beautiful waterfall were definitely worth the long journey.
“I will tell all our members about it in a blog.”
Sarah White - Travelosophers
“I would recommend this trip – the monkeys were great and the boat driver was really funny, splashing about in the water. It would be good to do with a group of friends.
“Everyone would enjoy the activities, you could spend half a day or a full day there, eating in the cafes and looking at the food in the market.
“I would recommend it to clients who want a more adventurous trip. People could also hire a car to explore as the roads are good.
“We have seen a lot of Marrakesh and now I would feel I could recommend a tour with Marrakesh and here. It is really off the beaten track.
Dan Oates - The Awesome Adventure Company/Travelosophers
“Morocco is big this year.
“This Experiences trip is so different to the Lake Como Experiences event last year – it shows how diverse touring and adventure is and there is something for everyone.”
Pictures by Sarah Lucy Brown
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