Marrakech Ranks 6th in Global Study of Sleep-Disrupting Tourist Destinations

An Australian mattress company conducted a study on tourist destinations and established the ranking of tourist places where it is most difficult to sleep. Five critical factors were examined: average noise levels in decibels, percentage of negative reviews on sleep quality, air quality index, tourist traffic and opening hours of nightclubs, and a score was assigned to each destination. In the end, Marrakech ranks 6th in the ranking, with a score of 0.59.

Noise levels can reach 90 decibels (dBA) in the ochre city. No less than 60% of hotel reviews express concerns about sleep quality, revealing that many travelers struggle to find their sleep. "With a lively nightlife until around 4 a.m., the enchanting atmosphere of Marrakech can attract visitors, but it also creates a restless backdrop that can make tranquility feel like a distant dream for those hoping for a peaceful escape," the authors comment.

With a score of 0.74, Hong Kong is the most sleep-disruptive tourist destination. Average noise levels reach 91.4 dBA and 73% of hotel reviews mention poor sleep quality. Cancun takes 2nd place with a score of 0.68. It is not easy to have a good night’s sleep in this Mexican city: it records the highest noise levels among the most popular destinations, at 103 dBA. Las Vegas (USA) completes the top 3 with a score of 0.67. With a score of 0.60, Shanghai (China) ranks 4th, while Istanbul (Turkey) ranks 5th with a score of 0.59.

"Quality sleep is essential, but it is often overlooked when planning a trip. It is surprising to see how much noise and nightlife can impact sleep quality in popular destinations," said Dylan Tollemache, co-founder and CEO of the company. He will add: "Cities like Hong Kong and Cancun may be on many to-do lists, but the reality of sleeping in these lively cities can be quite different. [...] What emerges is that even the charm and energy of a city can sometimes mean having to compromise on a good night’s sleep, which travelers may not necessarily anticipate when booking their stay."