
Moroccan Restaurant Industry in Crisis, Pleads for Government Aid
Suffocated by the health crisis, Moroccan restaurateurs cry out for disaster, urging the supervising minister to convene an emergency meeting.

Suffocated by the health crisis, Moroccan restaurateurs cry out for disaster, urging the supervising minister to convene an emergency meeting.

The Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatima-Zahra Ammor, announced on Wednesday the imminent implementation of a vast support plan for tourism operators.

At the end of last October, tourism activity in Morocco recorded a 0.7% decline, resulting in a drop in revenues to 28.5 billion dirhams, according to the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF).

The Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration (ADII) has just extended the validity period of temporary admission of tourist vehicles, motorcycles and pleasure boats imported by non-resident individuals in Morocco.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, which has severely affected tourism, Morocco has once again distinguished itself in the 2021 edition of the World Travel Awards international competitions, the "Oscars" of tourism, by winning several awards.

In response to the anger of tourism professionals , the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, announced the taking of urgent measures to save the sector.

The National Tourism Council (CNT) has made proposals of a fiscal, financial and governance nature to save the sector, which has already been severely affected by the health crisis related to Covid-19.

The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) announced the continuation of its actions to reconquer the domestic market. Last weekend, it launched a new campaign "Ntla9awFbladna".

The extension of the suspension of air links by the Moroccan authorities until December 31 has a negative impact on the end-of-year holidays. Moroccan tourism is suffering greatly.

In Morocco, the tourism sector is still weighed down by the lack of visibility. Professionals are having trouble understanding the government’s decisions (to close borders) that dash their hopes of being able to properly carry out tourism activities in this context of the health crisis related to the coronavirus. They are losing the confidence of French customers and travel agencies.

Morocco, Spain, Italy, Turkey and France were among the most visited destinations by Belgians in November. As a result, Brussels Airport recorded a number of passengers above one million for the fifth consecutive month.

While they were hoping for the lifting of the decision on the suspension of regular flights to and from Morocco to achieve good sales figures this December, tourism operators have seen their hopes evaporate.