Tourism Minister Says Tourist Activity in Marrakech Back To Normal

Following a visit to Marrakech’s old medina, in particular the Jemaa El Fna square, the Semmarine souk, and the Place des Epices, the Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, has affirmed that tourist activity in the red city has returned to its normal rhythm.

Rabat – Following a visit to Marrakech’s old medina, in particular the Jemaa El Fna square, the Semmarine souk, and the Place des Epices, the Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, has affirmed that tourist activity in the red city has returned to its normal rhythm.

Ammor visited Marrakech and the Al Haouz region to assess the situation of tourist facilities and attractions affected by the earthquake.

The Minister visited several tourist establishments in these two places. She pointed out that most of these establishments had shown great resilience in the face of the earthquake that struck central Morocco on September 8, although some had suffered damage requiring repair work.

The minister’s presence in Al Haouz allowed her to meet with the region’s inhabitants and professionals, find out about their situation, and discuss their employment needs, particularly in the region’s key sectors such as tourism and crafts, which have a significant influence in this geographical area.

“As I wander through Marrakech, I’m filled with optimism. The Medina remains as charming as ever, life has returned to normal, and tourists are strolling the streets of the ochre city,” the minister said in an Instagram post.

“In short, Marrakech is not just safe; it’s an open invitation to experience its unique charm,” she added.

In another post, she described how impressed she was by the resilience of several tourist facilities.

“I was also very impressed by the resilience of tourist establishments in Al Haouz. Despite the magnitude, many have stood the test of the earthquake, and have started repairing the contained damages,” the minister said.

“As the Ministry of tourism, we want to make sure that professionals resume their activities as soon as possible, especially considering the pivotal role of tourism for many other sectors in the region.”

The minister appeared to confirm that the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank will be held in Marrakech from October 9 to 15 as originally planned, saying that the organization of this event will be a “major win for [Moroccan] tourism.”