On May 28, 2026, UNESCO and the TUI Care Foundation announced a new partnership to promote sustainable tourism in the areas surrounding the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Morocco. The initiative aims to support local communities and preserve the cultural heritage of the region.
The program will focus on developing sustainable tourism practices that benefit local residents, including training for local guides and artisans, and promoting eco-friendly accommodations. The Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, a fortified village along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, is a popular tourist destination and a filming location for movies like 'Gladiator' and 'Game of Thrones'.
According to the announcement, the partnership will also work to improve waste management and water conservation in the area. The TUI Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the TUI Group, has committed funding for the first phase of the project, which is expected to run for three years.
UNESCO emphasized that the project aligns with its broader goals of integrating cultural heritage conservation with sustainable development. The initiative is part of a larger effort by UNESCO to promote responsible tourism at World Heritage sites worldwide.
