Northern Morocco Tourism Hit by Soaring Vacation Costs

Souad, a woman in her forties from Khénifra interviewed by Tanja24, had planned to spend part of her summer vacation in Martil with her children. But she had to cancel this trip because "the prices offered have exceeded reasonable limits." "The price of a night in a very modest house in terms of quality costs no less than 1,000 dirhams. It’s a scandal," she denounced.

Due to the increase in the prices of accommodation and restaurant services in this city, Souad prefers to enjoy her vacation in another city where the prices, she hopes, will be more affordable. The local authorities of the prefecture of M’diq-Fnideq and those of Martil in particular had announced measures to regulate the tourist rental sector in order to "enhance the services offered to visitors, while contributing to local tourism development."

Unfortunately, no concrete action has been taken in this direction, lament the tourists and vacationers who visit the city and the region. In cities like M’diq, Asilah and Al Hoceima, young men offer apartments and houses for rent to these people during the summer season at prices ranging from 500 dirhams to 1,000 dirhams or more. But the quality of the services in these residences often leaves much to be desired.

The Ministry of Tourism must strengthen controls and take measures to ensure better quality, price and accommodation capacity of tourist services for Moroccan families and Moroccans residing abroad during the summer season, urged PPS deputy Rachid Hamomuni, denouncing the "exorbitant, unreasonable and sometimes illogical increases in domestic tourist services."