Essaouira Named World’s Best Creative Tourism Destination

Awarded during the 13th edition of the Creative Tourism Awards, competing against a record 223 candidates from 28 countries, the trophy recognizes the city’s promotion of its intangible heritage. The organizing network highlighted the city’s ability to turn its traditions and artistic diversity into a genuine sustainable economic driver, ensuring direct benefits for local artisans and young entrepreneurs.

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This international profile is further confirmed by another historic event. The seaside city, whose medina has been listed as a World Heritage Site since 2001, will host the 2026 annual conference of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This will be an absolute first for a city located on the African continent and in the Arab world.

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Having joined this UN network in 2019 as a “Creative City of Music,” Essaouira was selected by a vote of the members to bring together more than 350 cities. The global summit will aim to exchange best practices and strengthen international cooperation around resilient urban and cultural development.