Moroccans Abroad Decry Rising Prices for Sea Travel

Moroccans living abroad, particularly in European countries such as Spain, have raised complaints about the rising costs of sea travel to and from Morocco, as families and expats prepare to visit the country for the summer holidays.

Rabat – Moroccans living abroad, particularly in European countries such as Spain, have raised complaints about the rising costs of sea travel to and from Morocco, as families and expats prepare to visit the country for the summer holidays.

The complaints related specifically to the Tarifa port, according to complaints received by Malika Lahyan, a member of the Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs, and Moroccan Expatriated committee of the Moroccan parliament.

The rise in prices is particularly discouraging to Moroccans and their families who have not seen their home country in more than years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the global crisis affecting their income, high prices become an additional hurdle towards these Moroccans visiting the country and seeing their families again, Lahyan said in a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita.

“As we approach the summer vacations, and with this year’s Marhaba Operation aiming to welcome Moroccans, they might find it difficult to come in the midst of rising ticket prices,” she said.

The total cost of traveling to and from Morocco can reach up to MAD 8,000 ($800), according to Lahyane, which is prohibitively high for families with already rising life expenses and other not well-off travelers.

The MP asked the foreing minister to put in place measures to lower the prices and support the Moroccan families and expats in their quest to visit the country.

Lowered entry requirements in Morocco and worldwide, as well as the general improvement in the world’s pandemic situation, has encouraged Moroccans to visit their home country again, after travel restrictions made such travel very difficult if not impossible over the past two years.