Marrakech Cracks Down on Homelessness and Unauthorized Guides in Tourism Push

Just in the last two months, the police have arrested some 200 homeless people, according to security sources cited by the newspaper Al Ahdath Al Maghribia, who also report the transfer of about forty people with mental disorders to specialized centers.

This hunt also concerns the fake guides, of whom many tourists and professionals in the ochre city complain. In the last two months, the tourist police have arrested 735 fake guides for "illegal practice" of the profession and especially for having bothered the merchants to whom they ask for commissions when they bring them tourists. Moreover, according to the newspaper, these merchants are forced to sell items more expensive in order to cover their costs and include the commission of the fake guides. In the end, it is the tourist who is the big loser.

Still according to figures released by the Arabic-language daily, the year 2018 saw the arrest of some 1,800 fake guides in Marrakech, but also beggars and several hundred other individuals accused of drug trafficking or possession of bladed weapons.

The security approach adopted by the Marrakech police also involves dialogue with professionals and their representatives in order to find solutions to all the problems they face.