Marrakech Tourism Rebounds as Morocco Recovers from Deadly Earthquake

The September 8 earthquake, which killed nearly 3,000 people, led several tourists who had planned to spend their holidays in Morocco to cancel their trips. Others, on the other hand, have maintained their programs, in solidarity with the kingdom that had just experienced a tragedy. "What struck us was the solidarity that was expressed during the earthquake, whether from Moroccans or foreign populations," said Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts and Social Economy, in an interview with Euronews Travel.

The fact that many chose to visit Morocco after the earthquake really helped the kingdom. "This solidarity warms the heart in today’s world. It greatly helped the local populations to overcome this tragedy," added the minister, however deploring the unfaithful image given by the media "of what was really happening. They showed much more dramatic images in Marrakech than they really were." But thanks to the reactions on social media of foreign tourists on the spot, encouraging to come to Morocco, the country experienced a record September, said the minister.

These social media content contributed to the recovery, assured Fatim-Zahra Ammor, inviting tourists who have already visited Marrakech, Fez or Casablanca to also discover Rabat, the capital, which has great cultural wealth, and Tafilalt in the south, "especially for those interested in winter sports." For those visiting Morocco for the first time or on their second trip, the minister recommends starting with Marrakech, "because you can [there] spend a whole week without getting bored." The Agadir region is also an appreciated tourist destination, "especially in winter, because it benefits from 365 days of sunshine," she specifies.

"Today, we are what we call a winter destination. They come between October and February. I would say it’s the high season when Europeans visit," explains the minister, stressing that tourists from other regions of the world, "less sensitive to winter climates," do not fail to visit the kingdom at any time of the year. "We are lucky to have a very temperate climate throughout the year and there are very few months when I would advise against coming to Morocco." The kingdom aims to reach 25 million tourists by 2030 and should record the arrival of 14 million in 2023, according to forecasts before the earthquake.