PHOTO: Visit the sights of Marrakech on pre and post tours.

There’s only one real way to become a destination expert and that’s to visit the destination – and in 2015, ASTA is giving agents the opportunity to do just that in Morcco. The ASTA Destination Expo (ADE) will take place in Marrakech next February, and agents can catch a glimpse of the diversity of the country with an immersive program. The event will feature expert commentary on the region, in-depth educational sessions with subject matter experts and networking opportunities with the best suppliers and travel professionals in the business. ADE will also offer several outside-the-classroom training sessions with hands-on, educational sightseeing and tours. The agenda in Morocco is designed to allow agents to experience the best that the country has to offer.

At the Expo

The expo will be held at the Palais des Congrès de Marrakech, Feb. 26-March 1. Top leaders from within the tourism industry will be addressing the attendees.

Driss Benhima, chairman of the board and CEO of Royal Air Maroc, will address delegates. The airline is the national carrier of Morocco and was named the Best Regional Airline at the 2014 World Airline Awards.

Attendees will also hear from Abderrafia Zouitene, CEO of the Moroccan National Tourism Organiztion (MNTO), the organization in charge of the country’s promotion. Zouitene will help agents identify which clients are best suited for a trip to Morocco and provide detailed tourism industry research. MNTO aims to improve Morocco’s market share in the world by building strong partnerships with several tour-operators, airlines and travel professionals while promoting the destination through worldwide communication campaigns.

Educational Sessions

In addition to speakers, agents will be able to learn about the country through a variety of educational sessions. While in Morocco, agents can expect to learn detailed information about the destination from top tourism leaders. Morocco and ASTA are bringing in leading subject matter experts to provide strategic sales and destination training. Tourism opportunities focus on some of the biggest trends in travel right now, including health and wellness, adventure, culinary travel and more. While a complete list is available at www.astaade.org, here is a selection of sessions agents can choose from:

“Morocco 101” allows agents to start their visit with the basics of Morocco – from culture and history to politics and geography.

“Morocco’s Other Cities: Fez, Casablanca and Tanger” introduces three historic cities and discusses their tourism roles.

“Selling Spa/Wellness Travel” informs agents about the world-class spa and wellness destination with detailed information on this rapidly expanding niche.

“Nature and Adventure Travel” discusses the diverse terrain and climate of the country that provides a multitude of opportunities for sport and adventure travelers – from water-based activities such as diving to terrain-based activities – even skiing.

“Cultural Tourism” talks about Morcco’s melting pot of cultures: Berber, Arab, Jewish, Muslim, African and European. And “The Unique Cuisine of Morocco” teaches agents about what makes Moroccan cuisine – from tajine to B’stilla – so special.

Sightseeing/Out-of-the-Classroom Training

PHOTO: Visit the sights of Marrakech on pre and post tours.

It’s one thing to see a video or hear a speaker, but quite another to experience the sights, sounds and culture for yourself. At ADE, ASTA will offer a series of out-of-the-classroom training opportunities, allowing agents to explore the luxurious accommodations, natural resources and wonders of Marrakech and its environs. Half-day tours will take place on Feb. 28 and cost $25. Full-day will tours take place on March 1 and cost $50. Agents can reserve their spots when registering for ADE. The following are brief descriptions of tour options:

The half-day Hidden Gems of Marrakech tour will explore the heart of the medina (old town) and visit unique sites that are often overlooked, including the Ben Youssef Madrasa, Almoravid Koubba and the Museum of Marrakech.

Agents can also choose the half-day Magical History Tour and immerse themselves in the culture of Marrakech, starting at the Koutoubia Mosque, strolling by the Bab Agnaou gate, visiting the Bahia Palace and the Saadian tombs.

The Moroccan Culinary Experience is another half-day tour option where delegates have the chance to learn the secrets of Moroccan cuisine. Agents will learn about the rich aromatic spices and oils used to prepare Moroccan meals and have the chance to prepare a Moroccan meal with guidance from a local expert.

Agents can also choose to do a half-day shopping tour where they will be guided through the rich history, exotic labyrinths and open-air theater of the medina and discover the heart and soul of Marrakech.

Full-day tours include the following: Marrakech: On the Path of Carrie Bradshaw, where agents can explore famous sights used while making the film; The Atlantic Coast, Essaouira and Argan Forest, which visits Essaouira, a UNESCO “multicultural centre”; Atlas Mountains and the Berbers, a tour that encompasses the breathtaking beauty of the country’s mountainous region and authentic Berber culture.

There are also several pre- and post-tours available to delegates. ASTA understands that agents need to experience a destination before they sell it, so Morocco has amazing experiences lined up for participants. The opportunities range from one-day excursions to eight-day tours, including Imperial Cities (three to four days), Jewish Heritage (five days), Caravan Roads (four days), Imperial, Holy and Roman Cities (four days) and Morocco Discovery (eight days).

Getting There

ASTA is also making planning simpler and easier on the pocketbook with detailed instructions on its ADE website as well as airfare and hotel deals.

Marrakech is served by the Marrakech Menara Airport, and direct flights connect the city with hubs throughout Europe as well as cities in several Arab nations. In particular, Menara Airport is served by Air France, Atlas Blue, British Airways, EasyJet, Iberia, Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair and Swiss.

Currently, Royal Air Maroc is offering ASTA delegates a special rate as the airline welcomes its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner into service. Roundtrip flights from New York (JFK) to Casablanca (CMN), which begin on Feb. 22, are available for $787 on select departure and return dates in February and March.

Royal Maroc is also offering discounts of 15-20 percent off flights to Casablanca from New York and Montreal on select departures.

To book your flight with Royal Air Maroc, ASTA recommends that agents contact the airline directly at 212-974-3853 and reference ADE 2015 with the code MORADE15. An airline representative will work with ADE delegates to determine which promotion is best for them. Please note that reservation agents will require a copy of your ADE confirmation email be faxed or emailed to them to finalize your booking.

Delta Air Lines is also offering agents discounts from 3 to 10 percent on flights to Casablanca. Use airport code CMN when booking to access discounts. The reduced rates are valid for travel Jan. 25–April 7. If booking online, enter the promo code into the tab “Meeting Event Code”. If calling, contact the Delta Meeting Network at 800-328-1111 and reference meeting event code NGAYJ.

To reach the event in Marrakech, Royal Air Maroc offers a direct connecting flight from Casablanca to Marrakech. The flight duration is approximately 45 minutes.

Once in the city, there is a shuttle bus linking the center of the city to the airport.

There is also a train from Casablanca Airport to the Marrakech train station. You can check the schedule on the official website of the national railway at www.oncf.ma. It is a short taxi ride to the hotel.

You can also take a taxi from Casablanca to Marrakech. Look for the “Grand Taxi” sign in front of the airport at exit doors. The drive is approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Where to Stay

ASTA has partnered with several hotels in the Marrakech area to provide discounted prices to delegates. Hotel room rates range from approximately $110 per night for a Riad Room at the Riad Papillon B&B (www.marrakech-riad.com) to a Suite Prestige at La Mamounia for about $1,690 per night (www.mamounia.com). Room rates at other hotels are about $200 per night on average.

Transportation will be provided to and from all hotels (except the Royal Palm Marrakech) to the Palais des Congres de Marrakech.

For more details on this year’s ADE, including a complete guide to booking airfare and hotel information, visit www.astaade.org.