Holidays abroad: The big departure of a million Moroccans

IN SHORT

Search for adventure : Moroccans want to discover new cultures and landscapes.
Better infrastructure : Foreign destinations offer quality tourist services.
Affordable cost : Competitive prices in some countries make travel accessible.
Family visits : Many Moroccans travel to see relatives living abroad.
Climate : Escape to regions with a milder climate during the holidays.
Escape from local realities : Flee the economic and social constraints of the country.
Influence of social networks : The trend of sharing vacations on social platforms encourages people to travel.

The question of vacations abroad for Moroccans is much more than a simple tourist trend: it reveals socio-economic and cultural specificities. Around a million Moroccans choose each year to leave their country to explore other horizons, a choice which raises many questions. What are the motivations behind this desire to escape? Is it the appeal of destinations deemed more attractive, the search for better temporary living conditions, or even a need for social and personal affirmation? By closely examining this phenomenon, we can decipher the dynamics surrounding it and better understand what these journeys mean to those who experience them.

Escape to Better Quality of Service #

For many Moroccans, going on vacation abroad represents a response to structural failures in the domestic tourism offer. Travelers often complain about the high prices and some quality of services offered in their own country. Several testimonies relayed in the media indicate that the poor hygiene and cleanliness of Moroccan hotel infrastructures discourage vacationers.

Ineffective Public Policies #

The report of the parliamentary thematic commission, dedicated to the evaluation of public policy on tourism, reveals that the initiatives of the various successive ministers of tourism failed to address these issues. In the absence of a strategic plan efficient, Moroccan domestic tourism remains less attractive, leaving the way open to more competitive international destinations.

Negative Effects of the Summer Season #

The summer season, far from representing an opportunity to revitalize the national tourism sector, seems on the contrary to exacerbate its weaknesses. Some developers take advantage of this period to maximize their profits by charging exorbitant prices. Furthermore, the informal sector offers services at low cost but of inferior quality, thus accentuating doubts about the reliability and hygiene of the services.

Attraction to Foreign Destinations #

Faced with this situation, many Moroccan families prefer to turn to destinations such as Spain, Turkey or Portugal. These countries are seen as offering better quality of service and greater cleanliness, often at more competitive prices. The contrast is such that holidays abroad are often seen as better value for money.

Impact of Local Festivals and Events #

Local authorities organize festivals and moussems without however linking these events to an overall tourism promotion strategy. This lack of cohesion and efficiency results in low profits for related sectors such as hotels, restaurants, and crafts. As a result, these events do not attract enough national tourists who prefer other horizons.

Proposals to Improve Domestic Tourism #

To reverse this trend, several avenues can be considered:

Implementation of effective strategies to improve the quality of services.
Rigorous control of hygiene and cleanliness in tourist infrastructures.
Subsidy agreement to make domestic tourism more affordable for Moroccan families.
Encouragement of local events integrated into a broader vision of promoting national tourism.

Ultimately, understanding the motivations of Moroccans to spend their vacations abroad allows us to identify the shortcomings of the national tourism sector and to think about suitable solutions to make it more attractive.