Morocco tough COVID restrictions big jolt to the tourism sector

Morocco tough COVID restrictions big jolt to the tourism sector

RABAT – Businesses working in Morocco’s key tourism sector say the country’s tough COVID-19 restrictions, including a full flight ban, are undermining its competitiveness compared to rival destinations.

Morocco shut its borders in late November and will only reopen them at the end of January. It has also banned new year celebrations and is enforcing its vaccine pass requirements more strictly in response to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Tourism generated $8 billion, or 7% of Morocco’s economy, in 2019, but the Central Bank expects it to have made only $3.6 billion this year.

Hotels in Marrakech, the main tourist hub, have only 14% occupancy at what is normally peak season.