Moroccan Tourism Industry Pleads for Royal Intervention Amid Crisis

It has already been 15 months that these professionals have closed their doors, without any prospect of getting out of this crisis, or even relaunching the activity. Also, the collective of the new generation of tourist entrepreneurs in Morocco is making proposals for the safeguarding and relaunch of the sector in 6 points, in particular the extension of the IF mechanism (the lump-sum allowance of 2000 dirhams and the measures related to it) until at least 3 months after the lifting of the state of health emergency. "This is a minimum, realistic, thoughtful and objective. [...]. Failing this, bankruptcies will accelerate and layoffs - avoided for 15 months - will become inevitable."

The stakeholders also request the extension of the deferral of loans and installments until the lifting of the state of health emergency, for all employees in the sector, requesting an agreement between the GPBM and Bank Al Maghrib so as not to add to the tension of these employees, who are therefore without income.

Also requested is the complete lifting of restrictions on inter-regional travel and the reopening of international traffic, starting with vaccinated people and, in addition and failing that, negative PCR tests from June 15, 2021. A measure to be announced as soon as possible, in order to allow all segments of the chain (domestic and foreign) to take appropriate measures.

Regarding vaccination, the collective demands priority for employees in the sector, starting with those registered with the CNSS, calling for a "communication campaign towards the international market that will position Morocco as a country at the forefront of COVID-19 management and therefore as a priority destination for safe tourism". The last proposal is the anchoring of Morocco to the mechanisms of the European Health Pass, in order to integrate it into the general programming circuit of international airlines and tour operators.