Moroccan Travel Industry Reels as Coronavirus Halts Islamic Pilgrimages

Moroccan travel agencies are also suffering from this crisis following the temporary cancellation of the OMRA, a major event that allows them to replenish their coffers.

To find proposals for a way out of the crisis in this situation, two meetings were organized. The first was held last Thursday at the headquarters of the Regional Association of Travel Agencies in Casablanca-Settat. The second brought together other regional associations.

At the end of these emergency meetings, it was decided to urgently contact hoteliers in Saudi Arabia as well as the Ministry of Hajj and Omra to postpone reservations already made. As for Moroccan customers who would like to cancel their trip, they will have to wait before being able to get their money back.

Moreover, the "collateral" effects of the coronavirus on Moroccan travel agencies are not limited to the Omra pilgrimage. Thus, professionals now report the cancellation of nearly several hundred tourist circuits planned in Morocco!...

With their backs to the wall, these travel agents are making a desperate call to the supervising minister, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, asking her to postpone discussions on the implementing decrees of the new law governing the travel agent profession, as the sector is currently going through a serious crisis.