CAN 2015: blow to tourism

The CAN 2015 held in Morocco or not, the blow will be hard for the tourism sector. This is one of the most affected by the epidemic of Ebola sectors. Pending the decision of Morocco and the African Football Confederation deferring or maintenance of CAN 2015 date, it is quite clear that in view of the different scenarios looming, the shot will be immediately hard enough for the tourism industry. This sector is indeed one of the first to be truly affected by the epidemic that has already been due to several large-scale events on the continent. The World Bank and IMF in separate recent reports anticipated the consequences of the disease beyond the humanitarian and health impact. The spread of the disease is associated with socio-economic consequences quite large. In Senegal, where a single case has been registered and the circumscribed disease, the epidemic has cost nearly 1 billion FCFA, just for the tourism sector. The financial impact of Ebola is growing as a result of direct and indirect costs, has estimated the World Bank adds to that the higher costs of economic activities in each country, but also trade between these countries. Therefore, the "psychotic behavior" and fear of contracting Ebola virus alone deprive many companies of their labor, disrupt transport and lead nationals of countries affected by the epidemic limit their travels. Similarly, several countries have restrictions for their travelers to avoid the "risk areas", that is to say, where the probability of contracting the disease is more convincing. Many travel agencies have thus confirmed the postponement or cancellation of bookings from tourists to countries at risk. With the NPC, and forecasts of supporters from these countries, the risks will be amplified enough to Morocco in the event that CAN be maintained for the dates by CAF. In addition to the transport sector, namely hotels will also be affected and, to a lesser extent, crafts. "During the event, it is not only tourists from qualified African country or not we expect, but also from Europe or the Middle East," says the tour operator. Concerns have already palpable among professionals of the entire chain involved in the event. In short, with the Ebola outbreak, the shortfall for Morocco, host of the CAN 2015 will be rather important for operators with as worst case scenario, the cancellation of the event. Now everything is in the hands of the officials, whose position on this issue was highly expected late Tuesday afternoon, since the media were invited to a press conference given by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Ouzzine, and colleague of Health, Lhaussain Louardi. At the time of going to press, nothing still filtered on the two ministry officials were preparing to "announce". To be continued ...

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The party is already gone!
The FCA decision will weigh heavily on the running of the event. Anyway, the party will not be at the rendezvous, except for the CAF ...
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to pass in Morocco, the hot potato of the decision to house .... or not, the 2015 edition of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) to be held from 17 January to 8 February. The request of the Moroccan authorities to postpone the event to a later date due to the Ebola outbreak received a plea of ​​inadmissibility to the Executive Committee of CAF, which takes all costs to organize the playoffs the scheduled dates. Through the FCA decision of last Monday, it appears that the continental organization will consider a plan B, in case the Morocco maintain its request for postponement. The key to Issa Hayatou and Co. is the event to be organized as the main basis of arguments, "the obligation to respect the international calendar as presented by FIFA" and "any change in the timing competitions would be to the detriment of the rest of the Confederation's agenda. " Suffice to say that for the CAF is the commercial aspect that has prevailed more than health challenges. It is for this reason that the FCA has been stressed in a statement that "since its inception, CAF's ability to meet its commitments and keep its competitions time allowed him to maintain a healthy relationship trust with its national associations, their authorities, the public, business partners and all other international sports organizations. " Thus, CAF confirms the continuation of the competition with the original dates, while asking the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to clarify the final position of Morocco at the latest on 8 November. The ultimatum given to Morocco is considered by CAF as another period given to other national associations to express their interest for a bid to host the competition with the agreed dates. The suspense continues and therefore appeal to CAF expression of interest clearly indicates that it has not his plan B, countries without jostling at the gate to replace Morocco for the 2015 background risk of epidemics. Scenarios Morocco has today until November 8 to decide and the response of the authorities of the kingdom will be endorsed by another meeting of the Executive Committee of CAF, November 11 in Cairo to "take the necessary decisions" . The kingdom will have only two choices, either to accept the organization of the CAN on the scheduled dates, or to decline the organization of the event. The decision is up to the highest authorities of the country not lacking arguments for a postponement of CAN in view of the risks poses Ebola. For Morocco and CAF, the issues do not appreciate the same way. The government needs to do that, weigh the pros and cons of the decision and could be based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization which the solicitation is more than necessary. It is in Morocco to assess its ability to contain the risk of infiltration spread and spread. The choice will not be easy, even if forecasts in this regard are not reassuring wars.

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Unreliable figures CAF In his argument, the Executive Committee of CAF believes that the expected number of foreign fans in the stadiums for the 2014 World Cup clubs, hosted by the Morocco in December, is much higher than that expected for the Orange CAN 2015 . In addition, advance CAF, almost all of the fans for the Orange CAN are resident in Morocco, and considering the average purchasing power in most African countries, "it is unrealistic to expect more than 1,000 people from the mainland to attend the Orange CAN 2015 ". For CAF therefore, management of supporters and other tourist flows should not be a problem in Morocco. It is precisely at this level that there is the greatest concern. Figures CAF whose reliability is not attested outside real estimates can in no way diminish the magnitude of risks.

source :les Eco