Moroccan Business Owner in Paris Fears Bankruptcy Amid Tourism Slump

"I have two establishments in Montmartre, one in the Jardins du Luxembourg and a fourth in Notre-Dame. These are typically tourist areas. Without foreign customers, there is little chance that I will get through this," complains Ahmed Yiab, who employs 56 employees. However, this Moroccan business owner, confined to Port-La Nouvelle, is counting on a rapid resumption of activity.

"In Port-La Nouvelle, only a ’normal’ season in July and August can save us. In the meantime, we have applied for a state-guaranteed loan," he confides to L’Indépendant. In Morocco, the situation of his hotel-restaurant Le Mazagan, managed by his cousin Rachid Madrousse, is far from rosy due to the confinement and the suspension of air travel. The latter is also confined in Rabat.

Out of the 24 rooms that Le Mazagan has, only four are occupied. "It’s not with four pensions that we’re going to save the furniture, laments Ahmed Yiab. Can you imagine? For the month of April alone, we canceled 32 group meals and seminars!"