Illegal Parking Racket Plagues Chefchaouen Tourists and Residents

Iron and concrete barricades to impose control over parking lots and extort money from motorists, threats of beatings and injuries for those who refuse to pay... Vacationers, especially Moroccans living abroad, and residents are under the diktat of thugs and intruders who illegally control public parking lots. So far, the coastal municipality of Amtar has not yet followed in the footsteps of the municipalities that have declared public parking lots free. It has neither mandated nor concluded a contract with any entity to manage these parking lots. A situation that benefits these thugs.

Associative actors cited by Rue20 denounce negative practices that damage the image of the Chefchaouen region, but also reduce its tourist attractiveness. This region sees a large number of Moroccan and foreign tourists come to enjoy the picturesque nature and magnificent beaches. Faced with the persistence of these practices, the associative actors call on the local authorities of the municipality of Amtar and the Chefchaouen region to act. They advocate for strengthening the police presence and a legal and clear organization of public parking lots, guaranteeing the protection of citizens and vacationers against the racketeering of intruders and thugs, and restoring tranquility for visitors to the region.