Morocco Imposes New Year’s Eve Curfew, Sparking Tourism Industry Concerns

The decision to impose a curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day crushes all the efforts of tourism professionals who, on the eve of the end-of-year celebrations, are pulling out all the stops to fill the hotels in Marrakech, reports L’Économiste. The newspaper, which does not rule out the extension of the measure to the entire Kingdom, announces a strict ban on all festivities on New Year’s Eve, with the consequence of the closure of restaurants from 8 p.m. and that of nightclubs.

Enough to shake the hoteliers and restaurateurs of Marrakech who, encouraged by the resumption of international and domestic flights, have spared no effort to offer a beautiful stay to the wave of tourists who have booked their stay in the ochre city, counting on freedom of movement and the festive evenings of the New Year. Some establishments will even requisition their staff until 6 a.m. on the night of December 31 to January 1, 2021. The daily, which fears many cancellations, is concerned to know if the catering services of hotel establishments are affected by this ban which aims only to avoid a surge in contamination, as was the case for Eid Al-Adha.

And here is a boon for the world of formal and informal rental real estate, notes the newspaper, which sees big movements on the side of villas, and the organization of private parties.