Morocco Tourism reports gradual return to normality after the earthquake
Following the terrible earthquake that struck Morocco, King Mohamed VI immediately ordered the implementation of relief and emergency work, which is continuing. In the meantime, efforts are being made to restore activity in various sectors. On the tourism side, the partners, who together keep the area active and provide services to clients who wish to customise their travel needs, are appreciated by Moroccan tourism industry professionals. The earthquake has already left more than 3,000 people dead and more than 5,600 injured, according to the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior, and efforts are being made to return to normality.
The emergency measures, which were carried out under the direction and constant supervision of His Majesty the King, involved the Royal Armed Forces, local authorities, law enforcement agencies and civil protection teams, as well as the ministerial departments concerned, from the first moments after the earthquake.
In this regard, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) wished first of all to send its condolences to each and every one of the families of the victims. It also wished to praise the Moroccans for their extraordinary show of unity and broad mobilisation to save and help those affected. Meanwhile, all Moroccan businesses remain mobilised in the face of this situation, including the Kingdom's tourism sector. The Minister of Tourism, Fatima Zahra Ammor, has also congratulated the hotel sector for its warm welcome to all those affected.
In this context, the representatives of the Moroccan tourism ecosystem draw the attention of their international partners to the fact that most of the landslides and fatalities recorded affect people, and the epicentre of the earthquake is located in the villages of the mountainous area of the rural municipality of Ighil (150 km from Marrakech). They add that in Marrakech, things are back to normal now that the situation is under control. In the Medina, the authorities have found the few damaged buildings. These structures have been closed. Hotel structures built to seismic standards were not affected.
The staff of these establishments handled the situation professionally and as closely as possible to the needs of their clients. Passengers wishing to return to their home countries have been able to do so without problems. Airport activity is normal and most airlines have lenient rules for changing or postponing tickets, and almost all flights to and from Morocco are being maintained. Finally, they advised that public places, restaurants, shops, cultural venues and museums throughout the country are open to the public. In conclusion, all areas of the Kingdom continue to experience regular tourist activity.
Spain maintains interest in travelling to Morocco
Despite the earthquake that shook the region of Marrakech, news received by the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV) from Morocco indicates that tourist activity is proceeding normally.
There are currently 15,000 Spanish tourists. The organisation estimated that between 4,000 and 5,000 of them were affected by the earthquake. Although he acknowledged that "some have decided to bring forward their return" in view of the situation, José Manuel Lastra, first vice-president of this association of travel agencies, affirmed that "the majority of Spanish tourists have preferred to stay and continue their trip to the North African country".
This was stated in a press release by the organisation, which affirms that, like the government, it has no proof that any of the thousands of people who died and were injured were of Spanish nationality. But the data is still frequently updated.
Travel agencies report that, although there are "some" crowds at Marrakech airport and on the train that connects with Tangier and Casablanca, operations are not affected for the moment. In addition, the companies have informed customers that the operations planned for travel to Morocco are being maintained in view of the numerous enquiries they have received in the last few hours.
Every year, around one million Spaniards visit the neighbouring nation, but so far the CEAV has no record of visitors affected beyond those who had to spend the night outdoors (especially in Marrakech). According to the communiqué, "all these travellers are being attended to and kept informed by their travel agencies, and the news coming from the Alawi country suggests that tourist activity is developing normally".
"Since the early hours of the morning, the CEAV has been in contact with the Directorate General for Spaniards Abroad and Consular Affairs, the Moroccan Embassy and the various consulates, as well as with the Moroccan Tourism Office in Spain and other administrations, in order to always be aware of what is happening and is happening and to be able to inform their associations. These groups urge restraint and advise keeping informed through legitimate sources", as the communiqué points out.
Finally, the travel agencies joined the ONMT in expressing their deep regret for the situation in which they currently find themselves after the earthquake in some areas of Morocco and to express "their support and solidarity" to the Moroccan people and all those affected, especially the families and relatives of the dead and injured.