Moroccan Tourism Sector Receives Pandemic Aid, but Financial Concerns Persist

Several employees in the tourism sector were able to benefit last week from the support intended for them thanks to the Special Fund for Managing the Coronavirus Pandemic. The subsidy for the month of September will thus be paid by the National Social Security Fund (CNSS).

A subsidy of 2,000 dirhams has already been granted in October to some employees registered with the [CNSS] for the months of July and August. The support granted concerns tourism professionals registered with the CNSS, even in February. Despite the signing of an agreement in August, the National Federation of Tourist Transport (FNTT) deplores the slowness of the disbursement.

However, for those who ceased their activity before February, nothing has been decided. In this regard, the FNTT has called on tourism companies in the Kingdom to protect their employees. Some employers of companies also denounce the lack of a real safeguard program, suggesting that trade unions will also have to put pressure on banks to postpone loan payments in order to protect tourism companies from bankruptcy.

Due to the health crisis that has greatly affected the tourism sector, losses reached 18.3 billion dirhams in the first seven months of 2020, a 44.1% drop in revenue, revealed the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF). Given the situation, 115 destinations worldwide have eased travel restrictions, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Morocco had also decided to relax the conditions of access to its territory for foreigners since October 1.