Marrakech Tourism Industry Urges Border Reopening for 2021 Recovery

A few weeks before the end of the year, professionals have their eyes turned to 2021, reports Le 360. Very optimistic about the next tourist season, they have pleaded for the government to open the borders. For Souad Laaouina, owner of an event planning agency in Marrakech, the majority of her clients have postponed their weddings to next year.

"Fortunately, most of my clients have not canceled their wedding, they just postponed the dates to next year. But despite these postponements, today we are not sure of anything," she specifies. She estimates that she does not have any immediate solutions. "It’s just preparing for next year and being able to offer something else," she adds.

As for Stéphanie Benetiere, owner of an event agency in Marrakech, activities are at a standstill in this sector which is connected to several other activities. While event professionals are impacted by this health crisis, small traders, hoteliers, merchants on Jemaa El Fna square, hairdressers, caterers have also been suffering since last March.

Only the opening of borders could relaunch activities in this sector already weakened by the Covid-19. "The sector is going through an unprecedented crisis. We missed the big spring season. All activities have been put on hold since March. The problem is that we are in mid-November and still have no visibility."