If 2017 was the year of recovery for Marrakech, we must not rest on our laurels and forget the city’s dark spots. It is no longer enough to offer a good hotel to compete for a place in the top 20 best tourist destinations. The product is closely linked to its environment since the tourist judges the destination by its hotel, but also its increasingly busy sidewalks, its taxis where anarchy reigns…
Certainly, in terms of urban upgrading and cleanliness of the city, Marrakech has made a real qualitative leap, but other questions remain unanswered. Like that of small and large taxis, harassment at the airport or even during tourist visits.
Whether on social networks or live, complaints are becoming more and more important on this subject. Whether at the airport or in front of the most visited sites like the Yves Saint Laurent museum, it’s the horde. Tourists witness arguments between drivers throughout the day, in full view of the authorities.
Some taxi drivers charge exorbitant prices and refuse a fare on the meter. Which arouses the ire of tourists who do not hesitate to talk about it on social networks. This is one of the “collateral effects” of the growth in international tourism flows in the ocher city and of fierce competition where anything goes. This scandalous attitude also exacerbates professionals.
For them, the anarchy and disorder which characterize this area are an obstacle to the development of tourism. Indeed, the taximan is the first person who comes into contact with the tourist who will keep this image even if his stay is perfect. Improving these services is also one of the 10 priorities presented by the CRT.
The city has 3,000 taxis driven by some 17,000 drivers. To claim a quality service, it will be necessary to completely renew the fleet (in progress) and endeavor to offer users a comfort service worthy of the first destinations. However, some taxi drivers in Marrakech often behave inappropriately towards foreign customers.
“Small” details that hurt a destination that is recovering after several years of slump. 2017 was characterized by exceptional results for Marrakech which exceeded the mark of 2 million in arrivals and 7 million in overnight stays, for the first time. Obviously, professionals want to repeat, or even surpass, this record for 2018. The environment still needs to follow.
source: The Economist
