Car Rental Prices Surge in Morocco, Frustrating Tourists and Expats

This trend has disrupted the plans of many vacationers who have denounced record amounts, in some cases exceeding the normal price by 50%. Some have pointed to other conditions, such as a minimum rental period of seven days, reports SRNTNews.

Despite the relaunch of the tourism sector, car rental agencies have apparently not renewed their fleets. As a result, the rental supply remains very low. Professionals say they are still weakened by the health crisis.

Questioned on the subject, Abdellah Achanan, president of the Federation of Automobile Rental Associations in Morocco (FALAM), explained that several rental agencies closed during the months following the outbreak of the health crisis. Others had to reduce their vehicle fleet to survive. He cites the example of the bankruptcy of three major companies with more than 10,000 agencies throughout the Kingdom.

The professional also pointed to the increase in taxes and the accumulation of debts to banks and insurance companies since the outbreak of the health crisis, which also justifies the rise in prices. "I also add the difficulties related to the acquisition of new cars, since prices have increased all over the world". Prices could return to normal after the end of the summer season, he concluded.