Morocco Grapples with Overtourism as Record Visitor Influx Strains Cities

The newspaper L’Économiste has sounded the alarm, highlighting the harmful consequences of this overcrowding. The infrastructure, already severely tested under normal circumstances, has reached saturation point. Accommodation, catering, transportation... everything has been undermined by this exceptional influx. This was the case, for example, in Martil, M’diq, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and Agadir.

The phenomenon of overtourism has particularly affected small towns, sometimes overwhelmed by the number of visitors. Some localities of 14,000 inhabitants have seen up to one million tourists arrive in a few weeks, leading to unprecedented congestion and major disruptions for residents.

The consequences of this situation are multiple. Residents have borne the brunt of the inconveniences related to the crowds, noise and heavy traffic. The pressure on natural resources and infrastructure has increased, with increased risks of pollution and environmental degradation. The quality of public services, particularly in the health sector, could also be compromised.

This situation is a wake-up call at a time when Morocco is preparing to host the 2030 World Cup. The newspaper calls for collective awareness and urgent measures to ensure sustainable tourism development, respectful of the environment and the quality of life of the inhabitants.