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Economic indicators
Occupancy rate, average revenue per visitor, share of revenue redistributed, jobs created locally, and annual return on investment.
All projects
2025Project co-author
TARGA Ecolodge
Live, learn, rebuild
EcotourismSocial impactWater management
TARGALive, learn, rebuild
The project
After the 2023 earthquake in the Al Haouz province, the question was not only how to rebuild, but how to rebuild in a way that leaves something behind. TARGA proposes a post-earthquake ecolodge built from traditional materials, rammed earth and Atlas stone, by local craftsmen.
The project has a second leg, just as important: sustainable water management. Rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, dry toilets, and above all workshops where visitors learn how seguias work, the traditional channels that have irrigated these mountains for centuries.
The plan follows the ten stages of the World Tourism Organization methodology: from identifying the idea to monitoring and evaluation, taking in territorial diagnosis, market study, technical and financial structuring, environmental assessment, and governance.
The model in numbers
65%
of revenue returned to the local community
500-700 €
for a one-week stay per visitor
15-20
simultaneous visitors maximum
10
UNWTO project stages followed
Territorial diagnosis
Strengths
- Exceptional Atlas landscape
- Seguias and traditional water systems
- Authentic Amazigh culture
- Close to Marrakech
Weaknesses
- Infrastructure damaged by the earthquake
- Lack of local financing
- Limited current hotel capacity
- Training needs among local actors
Opportunities
- Global growth in ecotourism
- Post-earthquake reconstruction funds
- Interest from NGOs and researchers
- Rising demand for educational tourism
Threats
- Growing water stress in Morocco
- Competition from luxury lodges in Imlil
- Rural migration and loss of know-how
- Volatility of the tourism sector
The two components
Solidarity ecolodge
- Built by local craftsmen in rammed earth and Atlas stone
- Reinforced earthquake-resistant structure and solar panels
- Accommodation in the lodge or with host families
- Local cooking and Amazigh cultural immersion
Sustainable water management
- Rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation
- Dry toilets, zero discharge of untreated water
- Educational workshops on mountain water
- Seguia visits and spring rehabilitation
Monitoring and evaluation
02
Social indicators
Visitor satisfaction, beneficiary families, participation of women and young people, and training delivered to craftsmen and guides.
03
Environmental indicators
Water harvested versus consumed, share of waste composted, carbon footprint, biodiversity, and condition of rehabilitated seguias.
Reporting rhythm: a monthly operational dashboard, an annual impact report for transparency, and an external audit every three years.
What sets it apart
01
Immediate social impact
A post-earthquake project whose benefit to families in Imlil and Asni is direct and measurable.
02
A double dimension
Solidarity accommodation and environmental education inside one experience.
03
The tourist becomes an actor
Active participation in water works, construction, and the cultural life of the village.
04
The focus on water
A critical issue in Morocco and beyond, addressed head-on rather than used as a marketing line.
The presentation
Walk through the deck, slide by slide.
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