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Marrakesh Tourism Boom
02/03/07 22:42 Filed in: Morocco
Articles
With many budget airlines now bringing tens
of thousands of tourists to Marrakesh this
year, many shop and hotel owners couldn’t
be happier. With the increase comes money
and work for Moroccan locals. What about
the other side of tourism? A city with deep
heritage in North Africa takes a deep look
at itself and its future.
The Moroccan government is literally
inviting foreign investment entrepreneurs
to its doorstep in order that Morocco
tourism keeps with its
full-stem-ahead plan to have over 10
million tourists by 2010. With Morocco
being one of the most alluring,
exotic, and open Islamic countries to
tourism, westerners are flocking to
cities such as Fez, Rabat,
and into the countryside to experience
the Berbers of the
High Atlas Mountains. One city is also
getting more tourism that it has ever had –
boiling over at its edges – Marrakesh.
With foreigners now owning and running well over 1,000 riads (or old-style Moroccan homes turned into a type of bed and breakfast), the boom doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Whether they are flying in for the weekend, or beginning a tour of Morocco for a month full-fledged backpacking adventure, tourists are filling each flight into the city.
Those voyagers of long ago involved in the sub-Saharan trade routes would have never guessed that their beloved city would be the home of million-dollar celebrity homes surrounded by more than a dozen golf courses near Marrakesh. Neither would they have guessed that the Djamaa El Fnaa square would be ablaze each night with tourists sporting expensive camera gear to catch a glimpse of the magic.
The local Marrakesh population has mixed feelings about the recent boom. Even more traditional and conservative families have opened their doors welcoming outsiders not only so that the city will reap the benefits of outside wealth, but also so that the outside world can get a glimpse of just how friendly Moroccans can be. Morocco is a country that Europeans have frequented for decades – much more than those farther west. With all the publicity going into tourism, exoticism, and the allure of a country where some traditions have never changed – those across the Atlantic are now hearing about Morocco much more than they have had before.
With a grand influx of tourism, however, there are some negative aspects, such as sex tourism and even reported cases of child abuse tourism. While the security in Marrakesh has always been tight, and with a new tourist police on patrol, there are still cases that slip between the cracks. The problems are also rooted in the huge gap between the rich and the poor; something that properly routed tourist practices can help to lessen. Marrakesh will always have the appeal of its magical name. And, while tourism will only rise in Morocco, it is up to the well-meaning tourist to respect, learn, and share with the local population.
Brought you by: Morocco News by Journey Beyond Travel
Tags: morocco morocco news morocco travel morocco tours marrakesh morocco morocco tourism
With foreigners now owning and running well over 1,000 riads (or old-style Moroccan homes turned into a type of bed and breakfast), the boom doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Whether they are flying in for the weekend, or beginning a tour of Morocco for a month full-fledged backpacking adventure, tourists are filling each flight into the city.
Those voyagers of long ago involved in the sub-Saharan trade routes would have never guessed that their beloved city would be the home of million-dollar celebrity homes surrounded by more than a dozen golf courses near Marrakesh. Neither would they have guessed that the Djamaa El Fnaa square would be ablaze each night with tourists sporting expensive camera gear to catch a glimpse of the magic.
The local Marrakesh population has mixed feelings about the recent boom. Even more traditional and conservative families have opened their doors welcoming outsiders not only so that the city will reap the benefits of outside wealth, but also so that the outside world can get a glimpse of just how friendly Moroccans can be. Morocco is a country that Europeans have frequented for decades – much more than those farther west. With all the publicity going into tourism, exoticism, and the allure of a country where some traditions have never changed – those across the Atlantic are now hearing about Morocco much more than they have had before.
With a grand influx of tourism, however, there are some negative aspects, such as sex tourism and even reported cases of child abuse tourism. While the security in Marrakesh has always been tight, and with a new tourist police on patrol, there are still cases that slip between the cracks. The problems are also rooted in the huge gap between the rich and the poor; something that properly routed tourist practices can help to lessen. Marrakesh will always have the appeal of its magical name. And, while tourism will only rise in Morocco, it is up to the well-meaning tourist to respect, learn, and share with the local population.
Brought you by: Morocco News by Journey Beyond Travel
Tags: morocco morocco news morocco travel morocco tours marrakesh morocco morocco tourism
