Morocco’s ’Blue Pearl’ Chefchaouen Faces Overtourism Challenges as Instagram Fame Soars

"The Chefchaouen hashtag" has currently collected more than 620,000 posts on Instagram and its popularity continues to grow. Influencers, bloggers and backpackers flock every day to this Moroccan city, regardless of the season, to climb its eye-catching blue stairs," writes The Daily Mail.

However, behind this overtourism, there are significant risks. Fodor, a travel editor, has sounded the alarm by writing: "Places ruined by Instagram". Like Fodor, others fear that the city’s success will turn against it as tourists come to exploit its photogenic buildings and streets of incredible beauty.

While some bloggers are sounding the alarm, Moroccans express their satisfaction with the growing popularity of Chefchaouen among travelers from around the world. This is the case of Youssef Khan, who says he is happy that the local economy is constantly thriving.