Development of Alternative Tourism in the Province of Ouezzane, Morocco: Proposal for a Structural Equation Model

Abstract

This paper asks whether alternative tourism can, in practice, move the needle on sustainable local development in the province of Ouezzane, Morocco. Set against the familiar limits of mass tourism, approaches grounded in sustainability, authenticity, and respect for host communities seem—under the right conditions—to offer a more balanced path. Building on an in-depth review of the literature, we set out a conceptual model and indicate how it would be examined through structural equation modelling (SEM). The model assembles the principal drivers—and their plausible interrelations—that are likely to shape the emergence of alternative tourism in a region with substantial yet under-used natural and cultural assets.  Core constructs include community empowerment, perceived economic benefits, participatory governance, sustainable infrastructure, perceived environmental preservation, socio-cultural enhancement, and multi-stakeholder coordination; together they are posited to contribute to sustainable tourism development. The analysis underlines the salience of a territorial lens, coordinated action among stakeholders, local capacity building, and the promotion of cultural specificities. Although theoretical at this stage, the model offers a coherent framework for understanding the dynamics at work and for informing strategy design in Ouezzane, while acknowledging that empirical testing will be necessary to validate the proposed relationships.