Marrakech Tourism Industry Paralyzed as COVID-19 Crisis Continues

The city of Marrakech, very popular with tourists, is still deserted this January. Tourism activity in the city has been severely affected by the health crisis, and the recent suspension of flights to and from Morocco has exacerbated the situation. "Everything is paralyzed. In the souk, there are still some shops open, but people are at the door, sitting doing nothing," laments Ali, a tour guide who has been living on his savings for almost two years.

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Most industry professionals are surviving thanks to the 2,000 dirham (200 euro) subsidy granted by the government, but some do not benefit from this aid. "There are people who can’t pay their car loans or their house. I have neighbors who are drivers who are locked up at home all day," explains Ali, recalling that the tourism sector in Marrakech had somewhat recovered in September, October and November last year, with an influx of tourists.

To read: Marrakech Tourism Revival: Minister Launches Post-COVID Recovery Projects

Unfortunately, the border closure decreed on November 29 to limit the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has dashed all hopes. The tourism players in Marrakech fervently hope that the borders will reopen on January 31 and that international flights will resume in early February. An extension of the measure "would be a very great disappointment" for the sector, warns Ali.

To read: Morocco Unveils Urgent Support Plan for Tourism Sector Recovery

For Abdessadaq Qadimi, president of the Regional Association of Tourist Guides of Marrakech, these latter could be temporarily employed in other sectors such as translation or call centers. "Tourism professionals, hotels, travel agencies and carriers are in a state of ruin. They can’t take it anymore," he says, calling on the state to take a "strong decision to support the sector," either with direct aid or jobs.