Following the earthquake that killed over 2,900 people in Morocco, many who rely on tourism fear for their livelihoods.
The earthquake on September 8 damaged historical sites in Marrakesh, but the impact has been most severe in the High Atlas Mountain, specifically in villages closer to the epicenter.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism contributed more than 7 percent to Morocco’s gross domestic product. In 2019, nearly 13 million tourists visited the country, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Although the pandemic significantly reduced those numbers, Morocco anticipated a full recovery by 2023. However, the earthquake may disrupt these plans.
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Marrakesh, the city most affected by the earthquake, has been a major hub for travelers in the region for nearly a millennium. The medina, the labyrinthine market streets in the walled old city, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Jemaa el-Fnaa, the busiest square in Africa, is always crowded with tourists, fruit vendors, street musicians, and others, creating a lively atmosphere well into the night.
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While the modern parts of the city fared relatively well, some structures in the old city suffered significant damage.
The Kharbouch Mosque, located near the center of the medina, is in ruins.
‘I was able to visit the medina of Marrakech to see the damage to this UNESCO World Heritage site,’ wrote Éric Falt, the director of the UNESCO office for North Africa. ‘They are much more significant than expected.’
‘First, there are major cracks on the minaret of the Koutoubia, the most emblematic structure, but we can also see the almost complete destruction of the minaret of the Kharbouch mosque on Jama El Fnaa square,’ he continued. ‘The city walls are also damaged in many places. The most obviously affected district is however the Mellah (former Jewish district), where the destruction of old houses is the most spectacular.’
However, concerns about the impact on tourism extend beyond the city as life returns to normal after the earthquake. The hardest-hit communities, small villages in the High Atlas south of Marrakesh, heavily rely on hikers and other visitors who are attracted to their scenic and rugged landscapes.
‘While most tourists may be aware of famous landmarks in large cities, smaller villages also have their own monuments that have been neglected for decades,’ said Brahim El Guabli, an associate professor of Arabic studies. ‘The entire Moroccan High Atlas is filled with significant historical monuments.’
Although these mountain towns attract fewer tourists compared to major cities, they are home to ancient mosques, ruins, hiking trails, and national parks. Now, people who have lost homes and loved ones in the earthquake worry about how they will make a living.
‘The tourism sector in Marrakesh will suffer for months, while the surrounding areas will require years of rehabilitation,’ said Rachid Aourraz, a nonresident senior scholar at the Middle East Institute. ‘We need to reconsider the development model in the region. Depending solely on tourism is not logical. Economic activities must be diversified to avoid stagnation during crises.’
The Moroccan government has announced a plan to provide rebuilding funds to individuals who lost their homes. Intissar Fakir, director of the North Africa and Sahel program at the Middle East Institute, hopes that these promises will include oversight to ensure proper building standards.
In regions where impoverished villages have limited government services and rely on small-scale agriculture, even a small number of visitors can be a crucial source of income.
‘Some of these villages exist solely because of tourism,’ said Graham H. Cornwell, a historian. ‘Much of the economic impact will not be visible, as businesses also function as homes — perhaps a small café on a terrace outside the house, accepting only cash. It is impossible to quantify.’
Many villagers, especially men, work in the tourism industry in Marrakesh, some in the informal sector.
‘Miraculously, my house is still standing. However, the high garden wall collapsed onto the patio. Thank God nobody was there,’ said the owner of an Airbnb-listed house in a small village in the High Atlas. ‘Many were awake that night due to the heat, so they were fortunate.’
Authorities do not recommend visiting earthquake-affected areas, and experts advise against adding to the country’s burdens. Many areas remain closed to tourists. The U.S. Embassy in Morocco suggests avoiding affected locations and being aware that ‘hospitals and resources in the most affected areas may become strained.’
Akim Elanbassi, the owner of Morocco Travel Agency, stated that many villages in the High Atlas far from the epicenter remain unaffected and continue to welcome visitors.
Cornwell suggested that tourists follow the lead of local businesses in badly affected towns, which may remain closed for some time.
The country’s tourism office did not respond to a comment on the recovery plan or how visitors should adjust their travel plans.
‘After a disaster like this, the most important thing is to save lives,’ Falt wrote. ‘But we must also plan immediately for the reconstruction of schools and cultural properties affected by the earthquake.’
