Agadir Tourism Industry Seeks Recovery Amid Beach Closures and COVID-19 Restrictions

The tourism sector is in a critical state following the restrictive measures caused by the health crisis. An unprecedented crisis that has led to the closure of the beaches of Agadir since September 12. Not to mention that the pearl of the South is the first seaside destination in Morocco and its surf spot known worldwide. The tourism professionals of the Souss-Massa region have therefore decided to intervene, by presenting their grievances to the local authorities last Wednesday.

The immediate relaunch of the sector is the priority of the tourism professionals in the Souss-Massa region. Thus, they are coordinating their actions to find solutions conducive to this delicate situation. During the meeting chaired by Rachid Dahmaz, president of the Regional Tourism Council of Agadir Souss-Massa, a series of immediate actions were unanimously voted on.

They wish the opening of borders, air transport, beaches, the cancellation of PCR and serological tests required for tour operators and tourists. According to the professionals in the region, it is necessary to immediately launch new point-to-point routes from the main European cities, as well as a measure to review the prices of domestic flights downwards. This work will take place jointly and in negotiation with the Ministry of Tourism, RAM, ONMT and the Souss-Massa regional council, reports Aujourd’hui Le Maroc.

Tourism professionals are also calling for the creation of an independent medical structure, for care, in the tourism sector in the event of possible positive cases of coronavirus, as well as the addition of a second medical laboratory, to ease the pressure of Covid-19 analysis requests in Agadir and in the hotel industry. They have also launched their grievance for the lifting of the closing time restrictions for tourist restaurants, to allow tourists to have an enjoyable tourist experience. They also stressed the authorization of tourist entertainment while observing the barrier measures and gestures.

In addition, the professionals demand the mobilization of all tourism stakeholders, for a unanimous request to the banks. This requirement is part of the purpose of benefiting from the real credits recently refused for the majority of tourism professionals by the CCG. The issue of the integration of tourist restaurants and tourist entertainment establishments in the contract program of the recovery plan was also discussed.