Casablanca Beach Cafes Spark Outrage: Soaring Prices and Poor Quality Anger Summer Tourists

Internet users have expressed their discontent with this exaggerated price increase in these cafes and restaurants located in very crowded areas during the summer such as Mohammédia, Bouznika, Aïn Diab and Dar Bouazza. They have accused the owners of these establishments of raising prices without valid reason in order to make profits during the summer season. Internet users have called on the competent authorities to control the rates applied by these cafes and restaurants and to sanction the dishonest owners.

In a statement to Al3omk, Hassan Ait Ali, president of the Moroccan Observatory for Consumer Protection, said he had received several complaints from citizens who were outraged by the price hike in these establishments, while the quality of services leaves much to be desired. "Some bills have reached exaggerated levels, in the absence of minimum standards concerning the quality of dishes, hygiene or service," they lamented in their complaints.

This situation is due to a lack of price control by the competent authorities, said Ait Ali, stressing that "the lack of firm intervention by the competent authorities encourages some cafe and restaurant owners to impose arbitrary rates, without any respect for the consumer or the professional standards supposed to govern this sector".

The association president has called on the competent authorities to take their responsibilities by strengthening on-site controls and imposing reasonable rates. He also urged citizens to report any establishment that applies high rates or whose quality of service does not comply with the prevailing health standards. Ait Ali did not fail to reiterate his organization’s commitment to continue to ensure the respect of consumer rights and to work for fair competition.