Potential and Valorization of the Geological Heritage of the High Atlas of Marrakech, Morocco

Abstract

Geotourism is a specific form of nature tourism focused on the discovery of geology and geomorphology. The question this study seeks to answer is how, in a context still dominated by mass tourism subject to the influences of a large metropolis of Marrakech we can address the questions of highlighting, elaboration, valorization and marketing of a wide range of themes linked to the history of the Earth, intake into account the multiple interactions with biodiversity, the evolution of landscapes cultural and current use of the territory by man.

The identification, inventory of geosites, creation of interpretation circuits and geodidactic trails proposed in this study will be rewarding mechanisms and tools this geological or biological heritage wealth.

Among the geosites which are of geodidactic interest:

1. Tectonic geotope of the tahanaout basin
2. Tectonic geosite in the Azzaden valley
3. Tamessoult hydrological geosite
4. Tinine technical geosite
5. Tectonic and synsedimentary tibizzit geosite
6. Synsedimentary tectonic geotope kik plateau
7. Ouaousaft geomorphosite
8. Tasksout tectonic geosite
9. Structural geotope of imlil
10. Imlil petrographic geosite

The geotourism circuits offered in the Ghighaya and Azzaden valley allow locals to have additional financial income, which is much appreciated and superior, compared to what generates the traditional activity of agriculture.