Moroccan Coastal Town Assilah Struggles as Tourism Crisis Deepens

At the beginning of autumn, the various businesses seem to be at a standstill in Assilah. Most of the city’s streets are almost deserted every day, except for a small section of Avenue Hassan II, where the Souk Anoual and some smuggling businesses are located, reports Aujourd’hui le Maroc, adding that the players in the various businesses, the simple Zaïlachis and even the famous fish restaurants and other previously thriving businesses, no longer have the means to overcome or survive the economic crisis, after having missed the summer season, considered the best opportunity to make more profits during the year.

Several guest houses, hotels and even luxury residences are completely empty. In addition, some commercial sites such as Kissariat or Al-Kharazine seem to have been abandoned by customers, the same source indicates.

Ready-to-wear is also one of the sectors most affected by the economic crisis. "We missed not only the summer season, but also the Ramadan period and other holidays when we make the bulk of our sales. Some of us have gotten tired of this situation and have chosen to close their bazaars for lack of customers," lamented a bazaar owner in Al-Kharazine.

Given the situation, the coming months are expected to be even darker, according to representatives of the various types of businesses.