Marrakech Cracks Down on Tourist Scams in Iconic Jamaâ el Fna Square

14 July 2019 – byKamal · 1 min read

A set of measures will be put in place by the Wali of Marrakech, Karim Kassi-Lahlou, in order to put an end to the anarchy reigning on the Jamaâ el Fna square. The case of the tourist defrauded by a snake charmer, the taxi stories, as well as other incidents have forced the authorities to adopt a new policy for managing public space.

On the Jamaâ el Fna square, no speculation will be tolerated anymore by the public service managers. All the "merchants" of the square will be subject to a specific work regime. The "hlayqias", the snake charmers, the henna tattoo artists and even the taxi drivers will henceforth have to clearly display their rates and wear an identification badge.

In June 2019, a foreign tourist was the victim of a scam by a snake charmer on the Jamaâ el Fna square. For a photo taken with a reptile, he had charged her the sum of 450 dirhams. She ended up filing a complaint with the Tourist Police and the man was arrested.

A few days earlier, foreign tourists had been forced to pay the sum of 5,000 dirhams in a restaurant on the same square. The manager had replied to those who criticized him that nothing was hidden and that the prices charged were displayed and public.

Category: Morocco

Keywords:

Marrakesh Scam Jemaa el-Fnaa