Andre Azoulay Reflects on Essaouira’s Triumph at Morocco Tourism Awards

Rabat – André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI, shared profound insights into Morocco’s thriving tourism, placing a special spotlight on the coastal gem of Essaouira.

Speaking to Morocco World News at the “Morocco Tourism Awards” event in Sale, Azoulay expressed deep pride as Essaouira was honored as the Best Destination of 2023.

“I feel really so pleased and proud to share with the audience what makes Essaouira so special and also so meaningful, not only for us as Moroccans but for the world,” he told MWN.

During the awards ceremony, Azoulay conveyed his sentiments to the audience, saying, “I receive the award that will be served with joy, with pride, and it’s a moment that is very moving for me.”

The Essaouira native celebrated his city’s pivotal role in tourism and its broader impact on Moroccan culture, describing it as “tourism in letters of nobility” and emphasizing how it elevates Morocco’s artistic torch globally.

Commenting on Morocco’s resilience in the face of global challenges, Azoulay stated, “Morocco is very high in the resilience of social modernity and what humanity should be.”

He highlighted Essaouira’s international recognition through a feature on 60 Minutes, a popular segment on American CBS News, noting its vast viewership across the US, Americas, and Asia.

The December program showcased Essaouira’s Gnaoua and World Music Festival, exploring the magical rhythms of this traditional music genre. Journalist Bill Whitaker noted its influence on new art forms like the Blues, resonating from Africa to the US.

Born in Essaouira in 1941, Azoulay has been a key advocate for the city’s cultural heritage and development, actively involved since leaving his banking career in 1991 to become the economic and financial advisor to King Hassan II.

His initiatives include founding the association Essaouira-Mogador in 1992, aimed at rejuvenating the city through cultural and artistic heritage. Azoulay’s efforts extend to preserving Essaouira’s Jewish heritage, fostering collaboration between Jewish and Muslim artists and establishing the Bayet Dakira, a center for research on Islam-Judaism relationships.

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