The Maghreb Arabe Press stated that the country's appeal to foreign visitors was leading to the creation of thousands of new jobs for local people.

About one in ten vacancies were said to be in the tourist industry, while a growing of number of people were currently being trained up to work in the sector.

Speaking to the news provider, employment minister Jamal Aghmani said the country was aiming to train some 72,000 people in the next three years.

He added that the number of people who had enrolled to be trained up to work in the industry had risen by more than half in the last six years.

The Moroccan government is currently aiming to attract ten million visitors by 2010, potentially enhancing its appeal among foreign property buyers as a result.

According to cultural holiday firm Journey Beyond Travel, the north African country is popular among leisure travellers because it offers "exotic" surroundings and is easily accessible from Europe.