Morocco’s Tour Guides Face Financial Strain as COVID-19 Aid Delays Persist

Numbering 3500, these guides belong to two major categories: city & circuit guides and natural space guides, La Vie éco specifies, noting that since the signing, in January 2021, of an addendum to the specific agreement setting the terms of implementation and release of the allowance between the State and the CGEM, the situation has been regularized, crowning the process of integrating the guiding profession into social security, which began in 2017. Those who did not receive the lump-sum allowance paid between July and December 2020 will benefit from it, provided they complete the formalities with the Ministry of Tourism.

Faced with this situation, solidarity remains the watchword. This is evidenced by the creation of a solidarity fund thanks to the contributions of members of the Association of Guides of the Marrakech-Safi region, which represents 1,200 guides, to support certain social cases. Even if the fund did not exceed 90,000 dirhams, "it was enough to help a hundred guides during the first stage of the crisis, some of whom are not from the region," reports the economic weekly, relaying the words of Mr. Abdessadek Kademi, president of the Association of Guides of the Marrakech-Safi region.

In Morocco, guides are only paid when they are solicited by tourists. During major circuits, they are paid per day in addition to commissions that depend on the goodwill of the tour operators they deal with. Outside of this, they receive no salary, which limits the inflow of money to high season periods. During the low season, they find themselves in an unpaid unemployment situation.