The climate crisis reaches Morocco: 1 in 3 jobs are at risk

The climate crisis is a reality and the consequences of the acceleration of climate change in Morocco are beginning to show their first repercussions. 

This was communicated by the World Bank in its report ‘Impacts of climate change on the blue economy in Morocco: employment prospects in coastal tourism’, which estimates that the coastal tourism sector, a key driver of the Alawi economy, could lose up to 32% of its jobs by 2035 due to the impacts of climate change. 

The publication also details that tourism expenditure could decrease by 8-18% by 2035 if the necessary climate resilience measures are not taken. The reduction in tourism spending caused by climate change would seriously affect sub-sectors such as the arts, entertainment, transport and other services. 

Morocco is a place where temperatures have risen by 0.2°C per decade since the 1960s, double the global average of 0.1°C per decade, making it a climate hotspot. 

Countless measures have been taken by the government in recent years to reverse the situation. The constant implementation of economic stimulus programmes is helping to generate employment, ensure food security and promote better resource management. 

However, according to the research, most tourists are willing to change their destination if temperatures are too high and prefer to look for other options if beaches suffer massive losses. 

Restaurants and hotels would be most affected, followed by entertainment and arts services, and the transport sector, according to the analysis. The decline of jobs in the coastal tourism sector, such as hotels and restaurants, could affect the presence of women in the labour market in a detrimental way. 

In Morocco, coastal tourism generates more than 300,000 jobs, equivalent to 30% of the tourism industry in the country. Agadir, Tangier-Tetouan and Casablanca are the main beach areas for tourists. In the Souss-Massa region, coastal tourism around Agadir is the most popular, with 70% of tourist demand. 

To avoid job losses, the report suggests changing the way tourism is viewed from a focus on classic beach tourism to a more durable and resilient model. This means creating green tourism products, building climate-resilient tourism infrastructure, using natural solutions to protect coastlines, and training tourism businesses in climate change action.

The report argues that investing in climate change action will lead to more successful development. Climate-resilient coastal tourism will benefit social and economic progress, generate employment opportunities and drive economic advancement. The government can build resilience by including climate measures in the implementation of the Tourism Strategic Roadmap 2023-2026. 

The study highlights that Morocco's coastal tourism businesses need to become more resilient, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Small businesses are more likely to close down because they do not have the necessary financial resources to cope with crises. 

For tourists planning to visit Morocco, VisaGuide.World highly recommends purchasing travel insurance to protect against unexpected events such as severe weather disruptions, medical emergencies, or trip cancellations. Having the right coverage ensures peace of mind while traveling in uncertain times.

To improve the heat resistance of tourism buildings and promote more sustainable and resilient tourism in Morocco, World Bank recommendations should be implemented. These include investments, policies and institutional frameworks, as well as the development of ecotourism and the use of traditional construction and cooling materials and techniques. 

The Moroccan government is taking steps to strengthen its resilience to climate change, including the modernisation of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises in coastal areas, thanks to support from the World Bank through the Blue Economy programme. In Agadir, the Executive supported a surf school by installing solar panels to reduce its carbon emissions and expand its product offerings. 

The Blue Economy for Results Programme (PforR) supports the government's plans to restore coastal forests and stabilise dunes to protect the coast. These local actions are paving the way for more resilient coastal tourism, while protecting jobs in the face of the growing impact of climate change. 

The report was funded by PROBLUE, a World Bank trust fund that supports the sustainable development of marine and coastal resources with grants from various partners. This report seeks to advise the Moroccan administration on how to improve the resilience of coastal tourism within the Blue Economy for Results Programme, which is supported by the World Bank.