Soaring Prices Drive Tourists Away from Morocco’s Coastal Hotspots

Contrary to previous summer seasons, Agadir did not welcome many tourists this summer. This August, the influx of tourists remained low compared to recent summers. "This summer has not been like usual, and the influx of local tourists and Moroccans residing abroad in coastal cities has been timid," confirms Abdelghani Bouayachi, vice-president of the Agadir municipality, in charge of the environment and quality of life.

"The rise in prices is the main reason for this low influx in Moroccan coastal cities. A hotel stay for a family of four costs at least 3,000 dirhams per day, or 1,000 dirhams per day to rent a house," explains Bouayachi, adding that many Moroccans have chosen to spend their holidays in southern Spain because "rents are cheaper, even if they are high at 100 euros [...] and there are discounts in markets and supermarkets in Europe during the month of August each year."

The vice-president of the Agadir municipality notes that in Morocco, on the other hand, inflation is galloping, with a rise in the prices of cheese, canned goods, olive oil, and even fruits and vegetables. According to the official, it is urgent to rethink domestic tourism. To do this, he invites the Ministry of Tourism to "impose discounts on stays of more than a week for example, and the Ministry of Commerce to "impose discounts on clothing in supermarkets".

Known for its moderate climate and beach, Agadir remains the preferred destination for Moroccan tourists during the summer. In the first half of 2024, some 184,472 domestic tourists visited this city, compared to 191,830 during the same period of 2023, according to data from the Regional Tourism Council. French visitors come in second, with 125,433 visitors. They are followed by the English with 121,731 tourists.