World heritage classification and tourism: divergent trajectories in Marrakech Medina (Morocco) and M’Zab Valley (Algeria)

This study aims to explore the reasons that have led to unequal tourism development between the two World Heritage Sites in Little Maghreb, in Northern Africa: the Marrakech Medina in Morocco and the M’Zab Valley in Algeria. Based on an exploratory ethnography consisting of observational fieldwork and semi-structured interviews with tourists, private investors, real estate agencies, tourism agencies, local artisans, and heritage and tourism specialists, the findings reveal that unlike in Western contexts, state interventionist policies have a decisive influence on the configuration of unequal tourism development in Marrakech and M’Zab Valley. This study highlights the need for designing new, community-based policy tools in both Morocco and Algeria in order to move forward more resilient, competitive, inclusive and sustainable local economies in these two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.