Marrakech Lawmaker Questions Shisha Ban’s Impact on Tourism

The ban on shisha consumption in public places for tourists in Marrakech is a concern for MP Aziza Boujrida. In a written question addressed to Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, she stated that this ban, stemming from Decision No. 02 of 2010 of the Marrakech municipality, is now raising questions about its impact on the city’s tourism and economic sector, a large part of whose commercial activity is based on this domain. Boujrida did not fail to highlight the importance of shisha in Marrakech. Shisha is considered part of the social and cultural traditions for many tourists, she believes, adding that it has become a point of debate between the need to preserve public health on the one hand, and the repercussions of this ban on economic activities on the other.

The recent campaigns targeting shisha consumption in the city, including in tourist areas and cafes, have shown that this activity contributes significantly to job creation for a large number of citizens, which means that this ban threatens the stability of large segments of workers in this sector, the MP recalled, before questioning the minister on the measures the government plans to take to regulate this activity, while ensuring the preservation of public health, while strengthening the local economy and avoiding affecting sectors related to tourism, particularly in the context where Morocco is preparing to host many major international events that will attract millions of tourists.

"Faced with the increase in the number of tourists in Marrakech, which has become the largest African tourist destination in 2024, it is imperative for the government to think about ways to regulate shisha consumption rather than banning it outright, in order to contribute to the sustainability of the booming tourism sector," Boujrida stressed.