Incentive Travel In Morocco
Discover Ltd
Summary Of Information
- Name of Company:
- Discover Ltd
- Members of ABTA, SAGTA, ATOL. Holder and Green Globe Commendation Award 1998
- Moroccan Subsidiary: Kasbah du Toubkal SA.
- Location of Offices/Study Centres:
- Discover Ltd . Timbers, Oxted Rd, Godstone, Surrey RH9 8AD, UK,
Discovers UK Office Manager - Jacquie Crofts
Tel: ++ 44 (0)1883 744392 Fax: ++ 44 (0)1883 744913
- The Eagle's Nest, Colonie de Finiels, Pont de Montvert, 48220 France.
Discovers Ground Operations Managing Director in France - Mike McHugo
Tel: ++ 33 (0)4 66 45 83 95 Fax: ++ 33 (0)4 66 45 84 73
- Kasbah Du Toubkal, Imlil, BP31, Asni, Par Marrakech, Morocco
Discover's Ground Operations Manager in Marrakech - Olivier Deseez
Tel/fax: ++ 212 (0)4 44 02 69
- Languages Skills:
- All key personnel are native English speaking with good French. We also have native French speakers with fluent English and Arabic and some Berber plus native Berber with fluent Arabic and French. Spanish and German are also spoken by native French speakers. Extra linguists can be added.
- Number of years in Business:
- Formed Nov 78 - 21st year of business.
- Number of years in Morocco - 21st year.
- Samples of Trips run in Morocco: See attachment A
- Contacts with Moroccan Government: See attachment B
- Description of how we can address the concept of Eco-Challenge and Discovery Communications mission statement: See attachment C
- Sample lists of Clients for whom we have run trips for in Morocco: Can be provided
- Staff support provided for each group and description of on-the-ground personnel services that we provide to each group.See attachment E
- Recommendations and plans to independently manage two trips - US and International See attachment F
- Unique services and properties that we can provide: See attachment G
- Timeline for planning and executing the trip not included for WEB
- The type of activities/visits that we would propose to offer for these trips - to be discussed.: See attachment I
- Other information to consider : See attachment J
Attachment A
Samples of Trips run in Morocco:
Discover Ltd. have worked in Southern Morocco and The High Atlas for 20 years. We specialise in taking groups to the remoter areas of this fascinating country. We have developed deep links with the local Berber community. In 1989 we started the process which led to the development of our Study Centre "The Kasbah du Toubkal" in the High Atlas near Marrakech. It was the former base of a Glaoui Caid. Our contacts, resources and specialised knowledge enable us to organise a range of tours that will allow you to achieve your objectives. The range of our services include:
- Field work tours - Geography / Sociology etc.
- Trekking in The High Atlas including ascent of Jbel Toubkal 13,655 feet.
- Mule trekking
- Camel trekking
- Community projects - e.g. the installation of water supplies in rural villages
- Birdwatching
- Mountain Biking
- Extended expeditions and tailor made tours to include several of these aspects.
- Incentive tours
- Film services/location support
Discover offers a personal friendly service dedicated to arranging tailor made trips which meet your objectives.
The following are samples of the tours that we have/are running :
- Our current regular study programme aimed mainly at the School and University market.
- Study programme run and organised by ourselves for the FSC - Field Study Centres - The UK leading provider of field work and environmental adult education. These trips were run for their "Expeditions Overseas Department." In all we have run 6 trips for this organisation with various themes. Their market is the informed traveller that wishes to access parts of the world and experiences that they could not easily do themselves.
- We are the ground operators for the Moroccan program of two leading British Bird Watching organisations. Limosa Holidays and Ornitholidays
- A VIP trip for an American Agency in the corporate market visiting The Imperial Cities, The High Atlas, and Camel ridung in The Deep South.
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Attachment B
Contacts with Moroccan Government:
The purchase of our centre "The Kasbah du Toubkal" in the Toubkal National Park necessitated substantial dealings with the Moroccan administration as it required changing the use of the Land from Agricultural use to Tourism. This is viewed as something very difficult indeed to achieve and necessitated prolonged dealings with the Moroccan administration including several meetings with The Minister of Tourism and the Director for Foreign Investments plus liasing with the Minister of Agriculture.
In the Imlil area in the Toubkal Massif we have excellent contacts with the local Governor, Super Caid and Caid. These have arisen both as a result of our own investment in the area and because we have tried to ensure that the local community in general gains from our involvement. The following projects have been achieved since the completion of the initial renovation of the Kasbah du Toubkal in 1995:
- A village rubbish collection has been instigated - this is not quite a self funding project and is underwritten by ourselves.
- A village association has been formed - made possible by the donation that was negotiated by ourselves for this association when The Kasbah du Toubkal was used as a location in the recent Martin Scorsese film "Kundun" on the life of the young Dalai Lama.
- The local Primary school has been wired for the newly arrived electricity using funds from this association.
- Discover Ltd and one of its regular clients York 6th Form College have just donated a weather station to the school. This gift was a formal gift which necessitated liaising with both the local Headmaster but also with officials from the Ministry of Education at Tahannoute, Marrakech and Rabat. This data will be used locally and published on our internet site.
- A project that has been agreed in principle by the Governor and the local educational authorities is to arrange exchanges between rural colleges and schools in the UK - and who knows the US.
We not only have excellent contacts with the Government appointed officials - Governor, Super Caid and Caid but also with the local representatives the Sheikh and Muquadum and the whole of the local community in general. Our operation of The Kasbah du Toubkal is managed by our local Manager Omar Ait Bahmed - a local mountain guide. Mike McHugo's relationship with Omar and the local village community has been built up slowly over the last 20 years.
In summary we consider ourselves to have excellent contacts both with the administration at Rabat and the local representatives of the Government - Governor, Super Caid and Caid. As importantly or perhaps more so as far as making local things happen we have the confidence of the whole local community and it was this that allowed the filming of "Kundun" to pass off so smoothly. Imlil is a remote area and was considered a very difficult location to film in. The fact that it worked so smoothly was in no small way due to the goodwill and trust that we have built up. Omar our manager was employed to look after all the local logistics and transportation by mule etc both during the 4 weeks preparation and on the day of the shoot hiring in approx. 100 local Berbers and Mules. In short the rebuilding of the Kasbah and the smooth running of a major shoot in Imlil means that we are capable of arranging most things to happen in this spectacular area.
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Attachment C
Description of how we can address the concept of Eco-Challenge and Discovery Communications mission statement:
The Eco-Challenge is a major undertaking. By choosing Morocco, Discovery Communications has shown that it is prepared to expose itself to a certain level of uncertainty and move out of the comfort zone. Such undertakings will be difficult to organise in any location. The infrastructure and culture of Morocco will be a challenge. The very choice of Morocco underlines "Explore Your World"
With 20 years of experience of running trips in this exceptionally varied country we will take your clients off the beaten track in an adventurous but secure environment. The Imperial City of Marrakech, Camel riding, a night in a Nomadic tent, The magnificent splendour of the decaying Kasbah of Telouet, and the magnificent people of Morocco will leave indelible memories with your clients. The visit to the Kasbah du Toubkal Discover's Study Centre in Imlil near Marrakech will show your clients a culture little chanaged for centuries. The warmth of the locals is tangible. Discover Ltd has just been awarded a Green Globe Achievement Award for its work in Imlil and we are sure your clients will value the opportunity of visiting this exceptional location.
The choice of Morocco as the destination for the 1998 Eco-Challenge will be rewarded as its variety of scenery and peoples is truely exceptional and we will help your clients have that experience of a lifetime.
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Attachment E
Staff support provided for each group and description of on-the-ground personnel services that we provide to each group.
One of the strengths of the Discover team is the completly different but complementary skills that are brought to bear by the McHugo brothers and the exceptional personnel that we have on the ground to organise that unique experience.
The exact arrangement of staff attached to each group would depend on the final program that is decided but key members of our staff that are likely to be involved in the planning and execution of your trips are likely to include:
Chris McHugo is non-executive Chaiman of Discover Ltd and former Arthur Andersens consultant and is now an independent consultant working in the financial sector on strategic IT projects. Chris first visited Morocco back in 1969 and has visited the country on a regular basis since the purchase of the Kasbah back in 1989. His skills, background and vision allow him to see the "large picture" and is an expert in seeing things ahead. This provides Discover Ltd with a forward vision and planning possibilities rarely found in an Organisation of our size.
Mike McHugo is the full time Managing Director of Discover Ltd. and brings a completely different set of skills to the team and is very much a hands on manager. Mike is a Moroccan expert having travelled extensively running the majority of Discovers tour in the early years - there are not many places in southern Morocco that Mike has not visited. It was Mike's friendship and professional relationship with Omar Ait Bahmed, built up over many years, that led to Discover purchasing The Kasbah du Toubkal and rebuilding it.
This relationship is well expressed in a report to the Board of Management of PGL, a major player in the UK leisure industry, following a reconaisance visit to the Kasbah du Toubkal towards the completion of the renovation in August 1995.
The company is effectively run by Mike McHugo who lives in the French centre. He has the detailed knowledge of the operation and has built up personal relationships around Imlil which are impressively deep. As you walk through the villages people constantly come up to you and ask when Mike will next be coming. The project (rebuilding of the Kasbah) has been supported by the Governor of the Province and the locals , throughout my stay local village elders were wandering into the Kasbah to see the work and to drink tea. His brother Chris is a management consultant and is company chairman. They are therefore an usual mix of the quixotic and the practical. The company are members of ABTA holds an ATOL licence and PSV operators licence. They have very firm views about their relationship with the country with sustainable tourism and approprate operating methods. They are very caring and personable but extremely business like and practical.
Omar Ait Bahmed is the day to day manager of our Centre The Kasbah du Toubkal. He is a fully qualified mountain guide, Ski instructor and an inhabitant of Imlil. He is an amazingly resourceful individual and well respected in the local area - a memeber of the village association. Omar was sent by the Moroccan Government to France to gain the French ski qualifications. He was employed as the local MR FIX IT during the filming of Martin Scorsese's film "Kundun". The location and production managers were very impressed with his services.
Olivier Deseez is Discover's Operations Manager and is based out of Marrakech. A French national also speaking fluent English/Spanish and reasonable German, Arabic and Berber. Olivier joined the full time staff of Discover Ltd in 1997 and has already led many of Discover's trips concentrating on Marrakech/High Atlas and the desert. Prior to this he had worked in Morocco for 2 years seconded by the French government to work at Agadir University where one of his achievements was to organise a cultural/musical event with other countries from Africa. He has recently completed an M.A. from London in Mediterranean Studies and his first degree majored in "British Policy in Vichy Morocco" so he has great practical and academic knowledge of Morocco.
Lionel Le Loguiec is a French national also speaking fluent English, Spanish and Arabic. He was formerly trained in France in the Hotel and Catering Industry. He spent 12 years in Algeria before moving to Morocco 5 years ago where he has lived in Marrakech and has been working in the tourist industry since then. He is a keen artist and has recently had his own exhibition in Marrakech. Some of his paintings decorate the Kasbah walls.
Jim Thorpe a former director of PGL has 30 years experience in the leisure and activity industry , the holder of a commercial pilots licence owning his own aircraft and airstrip. He is a fluent French speaker and now acts as a consultant in the leisure industry. He would be used as necessary to help co-ordinate the operation and in particular making use of his extensive knowledge, contacts and practical experience in transport by light aircraft. He would co-ordinate the bringing in from Europe of the hot air balloon and light aircrafts as required.
Other key members of our team who regularly run tours in Morocco Include our academic advisers who are all University graduates and include : Julian Hodgson, Jeremy Hackney, Julia Harrison, Catharine Chadwick, Daryoush Keramatian, Anne and Andy Johnstone.
Local guides and other operators
Over the 20 years we have been operating in Morocco we have built up excellent contacts with local guides and service providers in southern Morocco and these would be used to provide the "local flavour" so important to the overall success and that special experience provided to the participants. Specific activity instructors would be brought in from our many contacts.
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Attachment F
Recommendations and plans to independently manage two trips, US and International:
Since your client base is to be treated as 2 separate groups we propose to create two separate itineraries only sharing the Eco-Challenge events. The experience open to each group will be broadly similar but delivered in a different order. Due to timetables and travel time it may not be possible to give both groups all the same experiences.
Within each group options will be offered to allow for the differing personal wishes and physical ability and energy levels on that particular day of the varying members. This will ensure that participants can choose an experience that they will enjoy without ever feeling that they have got on a rollercoaster and can not get off.
International travellers do not like to travel like mass tourists and the methods of transport need to be small enough to allow for this and to cater as much as possible for the individuals wishes - be it taking photographs, purchasing souvenirs from a road side vendor or stopping for a coffee. This means that we would suggest Land Rovers - they can take 6pax but we would recommend 4pax per vehicle and/or minibuses which can take 14 but would suggest 8 per vehicle. These smaller vehicles will allow the greater flexibility required.
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Attachment G
Unique services and properties that we can provide:
- Unique location of The Kasbah du Toubkal at the foot of Jbel Toubkal the highest mountain in N. Africa - transformed into a Tibetan Monastery for the Martin Scorsese film "Kundun" Providing a truely unique opportunity for people to access the spectacular senery and way of life of the Berber tribes in reasonable comfort.
- The ability to organise an exceptional and atmospheric means of transfer between locations by a Dakota DC3 as used to liberate the continent at Arnham in the Second World War - bursting with atmosphere and something few people will have done - and if they have it will bring back memories. This is a 30 seater aircraft that is designed to land almost anywhere - eg Zagora airstrip. It is operated by a highly professional organisation that will come through any amount of investigation. If the group was between 30 to 40 in number 1 or 2 Cesnas would also be used with everyone having the opportunity to fly in the DC3.
- The knowledge and experience of Jim Thorpe who is the holder of a commercial pilots licence owning his own aircraft and airstrip. He is a fluent French speaker can help co-ordinate transport by light aircraft and the bringing in from Europe of hot air balloons and light aircraft as required. Jim is a personal friend of Ian Ashpole who holds the record for the Highest Tightrope Walk, Bungee Jump, Trapeze and Abseil all from hot air balloons. Ian Ashpole has also flown to 10,000ft beneath 500 helium filled toy balloons which he released and parachuted down - a good stunt if you want one for a race start or anywhere else!
- Excellent personnel to make things happen and provide an enjoyable and worry free experience for participants.
- 20 years experience of organising and running tours in Morocco
- Detailed local knowledge of southern Morocco, understanding what is feasible/realistic and achievable.
- Project management experience in a Moroccan context.
- Excellent contacts with the Moroccan Administration and at a local level to get things to happen.
- Excellent contacts with local guides and service providers - transport, hotels, Camel and Mules trekking, mountain biking, horse riding .
- Language skills: most key personnel are native English speaking with good French. We also have native French speakers with fluent English and Arabic and some Berber plus native Berber with fluent Arabic and French. Spanish and German are also spoken by native French speakers. Extra linguists can be added.
- Good understanding of what the well healed international traveller requires.
- Dedication to creating a unique experience for clients benefits.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
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Attachment I
Sample Trip Details International VIP Itinerary:
- Day 1
-
Fly into Ouarzazate after a VIP reception at the airport you will be transfered to your hotel to settle in and relax. It is probable that arrival into Ouarzazate would be in the evening.
- Day 2
-
After breakfast you will be transfered to the airport - only a matter of 4 miles by vintage cars to board a classic Dakota DC3 for the hour flight to Zagora airfield, flying low over the Draa valley a ribbon of green oases amognst the barren mountains will provide memorable views. The practicality of the DC3 coming into its own as it lands at the little airfield of Zagora where more modern and less rugid planes refuse to land. Zagora is really frontier country and is very much at the end of the road before the huge expanses of the Sahara Desert. A sign reads Timbuctu 52 days by camel.
After a short break for coffee and refreshments in a lovely little hotel nestling amongst the palm groves we head out in our 4x4 Land Rovers into the desert. We stop for a sumptuous picnic amongst the tameris forests before continuing out into the sand dunes where we meet our Taureg (the blue men of the desert) hosts and their camels. Mounting the camels we ride the last few miles before arriving at our magnificant Bedouin camp that has been set up for us. Here as we relax and drink mint tea you will truely be able to let your imagination go and savour the immensity of the desert. Our hosts will prepare a feast for you including the fascinating procedure of baking bread on stones in the sand! The feast will be accompanied by traditional singers and dancers as you fall asleep gazing at the stars through the door of the tent.
Possibility of returning to a hotel in Zagora if required - but a real shame to miss this experience.
- Day 3
-
An early start as you awake to see sunrise over the dunes and after a walk/camel ride in the desert we return to Zagora to reboard our Dakota to return to Ouarzazate and lunch. In the afternoon we will make the short transfer to Skoura - the start of the 1998 Eco-Challenge and enjoy the excitement of the pre-race activities and the special events that are planned by the organisers. You will be well looked after in the splendour of a Caidal tent. Overnight in Ouarzazate.
- Day 4
-
We arise to see the start of the 1998 Eco-Challenge and all its excitement. The afternoon is spent exploring the kasbahs and amazing rock formations of the Dades Gorge. Perhaps trying your hand at climbing/abseiling, canyoning or mountain biking. Return to Ouarzazate for the night.
- Day 5
-
An exciting day awaits us: For the hardy we travel by 4x4 up a little dirt road known as "The Canon Track." The track up which the infamous Krupp canon was dragged to the Kasbah of Telouet the ancient tribal seat of the Glaoui, Pasha of Marrakech as late as 1956. The Kasbah of Telouet, set amongst the most amazing scenery high in the Atlas, is now a decaying relic of a forgone era and is truely a remarkable place as described in "Lords Of The Atlas" by Gavin Maxwell
- Day 6
-
On route we will have had a chance to see the kasbah of Ait Ben Hadou used in numerous film shoots such as Lawrence of Arabia, The man who would be King to name but two. After Telouet we will continue to the top of the Tizi-n-Tichka pass 2,270 metres before decending to the plain and the amazing Imperil City of Marrakech. We will settle into the splendour of our Palatial 5* hotel before venturing into the old Medina by Calache for an evening of typical Moroccan hospitality and entertainment in a Riad (city home). For those wishing a more leisurely day rather than going to Telouet you can visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou/shop/play golf or just relax before boarding your plane to Marrakech to join the overlanders.
- Day 7
-
After a leisurely start and an introductory tour of Marrakech by Caleche we will travel by 4x4 vehicles to the village of Imlil and Discover's own Centre "The Kasbah du Toubkal". Marrakech's backdrop is the snow-capped High Atlas. The Kashah du Toubkal is 45 miles away in the village of Imlil in the heart of the mountains, where the tinkle of goat bells replaces the city's hubbub. The Kasbah, an old Glaoui residence, is situated about half a mile from the end of the dirt track. Access to The Kasbah is either on foot or by mule through the ancient walnut woods, a major crop of the area. Imlil is a trailhead for trekking the Atlas and is the major access point for the ascent of Jbel Toubkal the highest mountain in North Africa. Enter the walled outer courtyard of the Kasbah, where the mules unload, for a warm welcome from Omar and his wife Arkia and their staff. Singing and dancing will great you and you will be sprinkled with rose water in a traditional Berber welcome. Then explore the Berber interior - pure medieval with handy 20th Century touches. Up on the roof, there are stunning mountain panoramas on every side. So impressive is the scenery that Martin Scorsese, the film director chose Imlil and The Kasbah to depict Tibet in the film Kundun, about the Dalai Lama, temporarily transforming The Kasbah into a Tibetan monastry. The afternoon will be spent exploring the Berber villages of the Imlil valley before returning to the Kasbah for a traditional rural feast of Mechouie/ lemon chicken and much more all accompagnied by traditional dancing from the villagers. We will return to Marrakech to sleep
- Day 8
- Day 9
-
A chance to relax and make use of the Mammounia hotels palatial facilities if time permits before your return flight.
Sample Trip Details Additional Notes:
The type of activities/visits that we would propose to offer during the trips as options
Options that could be offered in Marrakech and other locations - half day activities or less.
- Tour of the city and Palmerie by "Caleche" - horse drawn carriage - the traditional taxi of the area. The length of these tours is very variable and it is likely that most members would undertake a tour at some stage. A must during a visit to Marrakech
- Golf
- Horse riding in the palmerie
- Hot air ballooning over the city of Marrakech
- Parachuting
- Climbing/abseiling
- Canyoning
- Mountain Biking
- Kayaking
- Sightseeing tour by light aircraft and the DC3. Helicopters could even be a possibility for example a Jet Ranger.
- Sightseeing
- Shopping
- To eat out at a splendid restaurant in the Medina where one is guided through the alleys by lantern to a sumptuous ancient Riad. Traditional Moroccan high cuisine and entertainment in a traditional setting.
- To see a fantasia (charging horses etc) and dine in traditional Moroccan style in Caidal tents amongst the palmerie
- Guest speakers would be arranged for short talks on the ecology, geography and culture of Morocco
- Relaxing/free time at the splendid hotels - would suggest the Mamounia - favoured by Winston Churchill and The Palmerie Golf Palace for those wishing to be able to relax directly from the hotel - play Golf, horse riding etc. The Palmerie Golf Palace is a major leisure complex with 2 swimming pools etc. Both these exceptional hotels are in palatial surroundings and offer excellent service. Both are 5* establishments and internationally renowned. Traditional Hammam (steam bath) are available in the Hotels.
Areas And Activities Rejected:
- The other Imperial Cities of Fes, Meknes and Rabat
- The coastal area - Esaourira, Agadir and the nature reserve of Oued Massa
- Excursions to the Cascades d'Ouzoud
- Rafting as an activity
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Attachment J
Other information to be considered:
- The ground work for the setting up of Community Projects in the Imlil area is already in place. If the Discovery Channel wished to support projects, visits to these projects, could be included in the program of visits offered to participants on the VIP Adventure.
- Personalised gifts using Moroccan handicrafts could be made at reasonable expense for each participant.
- Practical limitations, unlike many other parts of Africa Morocco was only ever a protectorate of the great powers and investment in the infrastructure outside of the coastal towns was limited. Unlike area's such as South Africa or the Far East, Morocco is still remote. We therefore have to be practical especially about transportation and accommodation. Accommodation in the Ouarzazate/Skoura area is limited so it would be important to reserve these as soon as possible if you are not already holding such options.
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Discover Ltd., Tel: +44 (0)1883 744392 Fax: +44 (0)1883 744913
"Timbers", Oxted Rd., Godstone Surrey RH9 8AD UK general e-mail info@discover.ltd.uk