Rabat - The video that shows two young men in Fez haggling with a Japanese tourist after the two men assumingly took some time to show the man around the city to take pictures, shows a common struggle for tourists who come to Morocco.
Rabat – The video that shows two young men in Fez haggling with a Japanese tourist after the two men assumingly took some time to show the man around the city to take pictures, shows a common struggle for tourists who come to Morocco.
While most occurrences are not quite as severe as the one posted here, it highlights a larger issue for tourists and Moroccan tourism as a whole.
As a tourist visiting Morocco for the duration of 4 weeks, I can identify with this man. In an unfamiliar place, where people are speaking a different language, the last thing tourists like me want to worry about is the pressure from locals to buy their goods or services for a price higher than what might be fair. Such haggling from the locals puts tourists in uncomfortable situations that are likely a lot more overwhelming than locals might expect, and can leave a lasting impression.
Yes, bargaining is part of the culture here, something many Americans and people from other countries aren’t used to. However there comes a point to where the haggling can become overwhelming and unfair.
Days before I left for my trip to Morocco, I was warned to not go to Fez; that it was the most dangerous city in Morocco. While I now realize that there is little to no truth to this statement, I am aware that bad reputations are created quickly and easily through the experiences people have during their visits as tourists. One bad experience could mean a tourist will never return, and tell their friends and family to avoid the city or area as well.
While tourists recognize that locals insistent upon a high price or pushing to sell their goods or services are in need of money to earn a living, unwanted haggling discourages tourists from coming back, and can be considered unsustainable for Moroccan tourism. Morocco is a beautiful country with a lot to offer, however this video illustrates one reason why some may resist embarking upon what could be the trip of a lifetime.
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