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Morocco has turned in a 19 percent growth rate over the last four years in spite of being an African country during a time when Africa was taking a beating in the international media. The reason could have something to do with the growth of popularity of culinary tourism. At least one tour operator has good reason to think so.
Access Trips, a specialist in immersive cultural adventures, has seen its Morocco Culinary Tour rise in popularity to the point that it is now the operator's most popular program, growing 43 percent in popularity over the last three years.
Access Trips offers adventure, culinary tours, outdoor sports and learning vacations in 13 countries in North, Central and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Its programs offer a range of activities including cooking lessons, surfing, mountain biking and multisport programs in a variety of regions. So for a tour to a country on the northwest coast of Africa to rise to the top of the heap is striking.
Somehow, Morocco eludes categorization and manages to avoid being stained with the brushes that hurt most African countries and most countries in the Arab world. Its rich blend of cultures: Moorish, Berber, Arab, French and Spanish produce a rich cultural mix. It can be seen in the ornate architecture and design, in the music and clothing fashions, but nowhere can it be experienced more fully than in Morocco's cuisine.
Access Trips' Morocco Culinary Tour is a nine-day/eight-night program that begins in Casablanca, travels to the coastal fishing village of Essaouira, the High Atlas Mountains and Marrakech. The itinerary includes nights in riads, including an ocean-front riad and an old-city riad; visits to markets, a school and a home, mountain biking, camel riding, visits to historic sites and many cooking lessons.
Those who are paying attention will be able to return to the states and prepare fish tagine with chermoula, traditional Moroccan couscous and other delicacies of the region.
Departures are May 21, Aug. 27, Oct.1 and Dec.24 this year, and in 2016 Feb.11, April 14,May 26, Sept.1 and Oct.20. The price starts at $2,990 per person.
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