Tetouan’s Tourism Rebounds with Record Summer Influx, but Uncertainty Looms

Despite the full resumption of activities and the influx of tourists due to the summer season, operators remain on their guard, especially since beyond the month of August, the future is uncertain, says Rkia Alaoui, general manager of the Marina Smir hotel and president of the Regional Tourism Council (CRT) of the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, during a session on seasonality held last week, according to L’Economiste.

Due to the high influx of tourists this summer, which will provide a breath of fresh air to the finances of the hotels, operators are forced to resort to additional manpower to strengthen the staff dedicated to cleaning and disinfection. "The chambermaid who could handle five to six rooms per shift can now only do half due to the health measures against Covid-19," they explain.

The deficit in qualified human resources is glaring in the region and is more pronounced with regard to the profile of the chef, notes Adnane Afquir, director of the International Higher Institute of Tourism in Tangier (ISIT).

Although it is on the list of the most beautiful seaside sites in Morocco, with its Medina, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the northern region suffers from a severe lack of entertainment that has been exacerbated by the closure of borders.