Tourism in the Great South is generally characterized
with different factors which motivate the curiosity of tourists to seek for calm and turn away from the noisy and polluted
atmosphere of cities.
The great oasis of Merzouga, the gateway
to this impressive south, has a special geographic position allowing it to be one of the best tourist poles about which Morocco
can be pride.The route to the oasis is to some extent forming an essentail part of the great circuit taken by tourists interested
in the Sahara desert.The mystery behind this circuit is wonderfully attractive.The Sahara route has a worldwide impression
as it is considered the most legendary in the planet.According to Moroccan newspaper La Vie Touristique Africaine, the
American New York Times calls this route in one of its published issues as "the route of challenge" ("La route"2003,p.6).
The tone of adventure in this area of the world has a special taste for desert tourists. Dunes of sand are the best example
over which we should shed more light.
Erg Chebbi, sand dunes in the
great oasis of Merzouga, is one of the great sights of Morocco. It constitutes a miraculous wall-like of dunes. Besides, it
is alligned almost compleltely north-south. The charm of Erg Chebbi, in which the highest dunes attain 200 meters, raises
different attractive points considered to be the tourists true motives to visit the great Oasis.
The colour of the dunes
depends, of course, on their chemical composition, but the colour also differs according of the inclination of slope, thus
according to the angle of the incidence of the sunlight.The Erg Chebbi extends over a distance of 20 km from north to south
and 6,5 km towards the east. The beauty of these dunes is a real magnet for tourists both foreigners and Moroccans. These
latter target the Oasis to seek cures for some disease such as rheumatism.
The importance of Erg
Chebbi encourages many investors to found dozen of "auberges" along its edge.This situation brings the visitors
to a close contact with nature as the main source of Quietness.Therefore, the great Oasis of Merzouga becomes a real
and worth visisting destination for tourists fond of the Great South.
