Some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, including Turkey, Greece, Hawaii and now Morocco, have been hit by disasters this year, with earthquakes, wildfires and floods wiping out entire towns and villages, killing residents and destroying or damaging cultural monuments.
The series of catastrophes has left many tourists unsure of how to respond. Those already in the country in the aftermath of the disaster are debating whether to stay or go. Those with upcoming trips are wondering whether to cancel. Are they and the income they bring a real help or a burden? Is it appropriate to continue tourism while the whole country is grieving and rescue efforts are underway?
Travel experts say there are no easy answers. Every disaster affects people differently, and while travelers are encouraged to follow instructions from government officials after such disasters, local communities don’t always agree on the best course of action. After wildfires on Maui destroyed much of the town of Lahaina in August and killed at least 115 people, island residents who rely on tourist revenue clashed over a decision to allow tourism to continue while locals grieved all they’d lost.
But the outlook is more unified in Morocco, where a powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Atlas Mountains southwest of Marrakech on Friday, killing thousands. With tourist season upon us and most of the damage affecting rural areas far from tourist destinations, many locals are desperate for foreign visitors to keep coming to bolster the economy and bring in funds for relief efforts.
“If there are fewer tourists after COVID-19, it will be a big blow to Marrakech, which derives a lot of its resources from tourism,” said Mouna Anajjar, editor-in-chief of local publication I Came for Couscous. “All the residents are directly or indirectly tied to this resource and will be deeply affected.”
Here’s what travelers planning to visit the devastated country should think about.
Is this place open to tourists?
To understand the situation locally, check official government guidance and local media reports. Last month, when deadly wildfires raged in parts of Maui, local authorities urged tourists to stay home. So far, the Moroccan government has not made any statements beyond the status of rescue efforts, and the country’s tourist board did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The British Foreign Office has advised its citizens planning to travel to the country to check with tour operators for disruptions.
The U.S. State Department has not updated its travel advisory for Morocco, but it is a good idea to check its website before traveling to the disaster-hit country.
Find out exactly where the disaster occurred and which areas were affected. When wildfires hit Greece in July and thousands of tourists were evacuated from the islands of Rhodes and Corfu, many tourists canceled their holidays, even trips to unaffected areas. The Greek Tourism Minister issued a response, stressing that most of the country, including some of the affected islands, is safe for tourists.
When an earthquake struck Morocco on Friday, it was felt in many popular tourist destinations, including Marrakech, Imsoun and Essaouira, but most of the damage was concentrated in Al Haouz province, close to the epicenter. The majority of tours to Morocco were canceled immediately after the quake as tour operators rushed to carry out critical safety assessments, including checking the safety of all clients and staff and ensuring tourists were not impeding rescue efforts.
However, damage is now apparently concentrated in rural areas, and most tours are operating with some changes to their itineraries in line with government guidance. Morocco’s hotel association says hotels have been largely unaffected.
“Some parts of Marrakech’s medina have been damaged and some historical sites are closed, but most of the city is perfectly safe to visit,” said Zina Bensheik, a Marrakech native and managing director of Intrepid Travel’s Europe, Middle East and Africa operations. “Most of the country is open, with the airport, schools, hotels, shops and restaurants operating as usual despite the shock of the incident.”
Intrepid Travel had 600 clients in Morocco the night of the quake, but only 17 cut their trips short. TUI, Europe’s largest travel company, said some itineraries were being reviewed but most clients had decided to stay because the company had carried out safety checks and chosen to support maintaining Morocco’s economic development.
As a tourist, am I a burden on the local community?
When a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Turkey in February, Turkish Airlines, the country’s national carrier, canceled dozens of domestic flights to free up personnel for rescue efforts. Airlines also canceled flights to Hawaii during the Maui wildfires and arranged for passengers to return to the mainland. Most of West Maui remains off-limits to tourists, but is scheduled to reopen on October 8.
In Morocco, the hardest-hit areas of the Atlas Mountains are currently closed off to allow for rescue efforts and tourists are advised not to travel to these areas, but tourism is being encouraged in other unaffected parts of the country.
Hafida Doubane, a Marrakech-based guide who takes tourists on hiking and trekking trips, urged people to come, saying the danger from the earthquake had long since passed and Marrakech authorities were carefully sealing off buildings showing signs of damage.
She said those who called the expedition off were nervous about holidaying in a country that had just been so devastated, but locals didn’t think so. “I think the best thing to do is come and show that life goes on,” she said. “The best way mountain tourists can help is to come and show that we’re here and that we stand in solidarity.”
Should you change your behavior?
Most locals don’t expect it, but it’s important to listen and pay attention to your surroundings.
On Maui, the sight of tourists sunbathing on beaches while rescuers searched for survivors angered grieving residents, sparking a social media campaign urging them to evacuate.
“Moroccans will tell you not to turn off Morocco,” says Intrepid Travel’s Bensheik.
Angel Esquinas, regional director for Barcelo Hotel Group, which has hotels in Marrakech, Casablanca and Fez, said tourists did not need to immediately curtail their trips unless they felt it was necessary.
“It’s perfectly fine for tourists to continue with their planned activities, such as going on tours, lounging by the pool or enjoying the nightlife. Morocco remains a vibrant and welcoming destination,” he said. “However, we encourage visitors to be mindful of their surroundings and respect the specific circumstances of local communities. It’s important to strike a balance between supporting the local economy and not putting a strain on the community.”
Cassandra Kalinski, co-founder of popular Marrakech restaurant Plus 61, said she reopened the day after the quake to provide an environment where locals could come together during difficult times: “We had a lot of cancellations, but now we’re starting to get busy again as people come together to raise funds and support the local community.”
She said the mood was heavier than usual and people were still in shock, but tourists were being considerate and respectful of locals.
“People still need to eat and there’s a growing sense of optimism every day that people are coming together to help each other and move forward,” she said.
What can I do to help?
Visiting the affected countries can be a great support for relief efforts, as many local residents depend on tourism for their livelihoods. In Morocco, tourism accounts for 7.1% of the gross domestic product and is an important source of income for low- to middle-income families. Many restaurants and hotels have launched financial aid campaigns to support their employees and their families in the hardest-hit areas.
You can also donate to aid organizations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that are responding to the disaster, and the Intrepid Foundation, the travel company’s charity arm, has launched an earthquake relief campaign in Morocco, supporting efforts to provide food, shelter, clean water and medical assistance to local communities.
In Hawaii, the Hawaii Community Foundation continues to administer a fund to assist with the long-term needs of those affected by the wildfires.
If you are already traveling to a disaster-hit country, consider donating blood at a blood bank, which are often established after a natural disaster.
“We had just come from a big lunch and saw the blood donation centre and felt we had done the right thing,” said Tony Osborne, 52, a tennis coach from London who was visiting Marrakech with his family when the quake hit. “The Moroccan people have been so welcoming. We just wish we could do more to help.”
Aurélien Breeden contributed reporting.
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