Open AccessThe use of payments for environmental services in the development of sustainable tourism in the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve in Morocco
Author(s) -
Fatima Zahra Fakir,
Elhoussaine Erraoui
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
studia periegetica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2658-1736
pISSN - 1897-9262
DOI - 10.5604/01.3001.0015.0495
Subject(s) - natural heritage , tourism , payment , business , ecosystem services , sustainable development , natural resource , biosphere , natural (archaeology) , cultural heritage , revenue , ecotourism , sustainable tourism , nature reserve , environmental resource management , environmental planning , payment for ecosystem services , natural resource economics , sustainability , willingness to pay , geography , ecosystem , economics , political science , ecology , finance , archaeology , biology , microeconomics , law
The Arganeraie (forests of argan trees) is one of the most important natural resources of Morocco but it faces a serious risk of degradation or even extinction. It is therefore essential to develop a model of sustainable tourism that can help to preserve this natural heritage, especially given the ever growing number of tourists. The purpose of this article is to analyze the concept of “payments for environmental services” (PES) as a method of collecting revenue to create a sustainable and structured touristic offering and to preserve the natural heritage in the region of Souss-Massa. This exploratory study is based on qualitative data collected during interviews with 80 tourists visiting Souss-Massa. It was found that the respondents were interested in the natural attributes of sites they visited and expressed their willingness to protect this natural heritage by paying for environmental services.