Ramadan has no impact on tourism in Marrakech

Despite the various crises, European and American tourists are still eager to travel. And Marrakech is not going to be idle during Ramadan, and March could be a good month. In the past, hoteliers and restaurateurs took time off during Ramadan to renovate their establishments or undertake extension work. This year, however, there will be no respite, with the exception of domestic and family tourism.

In any case, the month of March, modest though it was, foreshadows a promising month of April. Indeed, the spring vacations, particularly in France, start in zone A on April 13, almost coinciding with Semana Santa in Spain. In the meantime, Marrakech’s hotels remain active, welcoming streams of tourists in March, with a high proportion of last-minute bookings, sometimes accounting for up to 20% of arrivals in the city. However, Marrakech’s tourism industry is struggling to make Ramadan an attractive time of year. Demand for local tourism, Marrakech’s main market, remains very modest. Domestic travelers, traditionally a crucial support during off-peak periods, prefer to stay at home during this holy month. « We need time to establish in the minds of Moroccan consumers the possibility of traveling during Ramadan in the same way as is now done during religious holidays «, says Lahcen Zelmat, a hotelier based in Marrakech. But what the professionals are most excited about are the booking figures for April and the rest of the year. It seems that the craze for Marrakech is back. Some are calling for a specific tourism plan for Ramadan, similar to what is done in Turkey. However, others feel that the changing nature of the holy month complicates such an initiative, especially this year when Ramadan straddles March and April. It could also pose challenges for organizers of festivals scheduled during this period.
Even so, a few events, such as the Taktar zhar moussem and gala and charity evenings, bear witness to efforts to liven up the city during Ramadan. However, these initiatives remain modest and underline the need for more in-depth reflection on how to boost tourism during this period.

Badra BERRISSOULE