Opening of hotels, cafes and restaurants, increase in air connections… Invigorated by the slowing of the coronavirus epidemic and the prospect of a vaccine, Morocco is preparing to welcome tourists for a vacation with a unique flavor.
Even though the state of health emergency has been extended until January 10 and restrictions still weigh on certain cities, Morocco is fine-tuning its postcard decor to welcome tourists for the end-of-year celebrations, counting on last-minute reservations to confirm an already evident interest.
If the borders remain theoretically closed, Morocco authorizes travelers to enter provided they produce a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old (except children under 11 years old) and a confirmed reservation for a classified hotel and tourist establishment, including riads. Travelers must also have a health information sheet required upon arrival.
On return, adults and children over 11 years old are required to provide the results of a PCR test less than 72 hours old (under penalty of refusal to board), a certificate of exceptional international travel and a sworn declaration. The tests are carried out by private laboratories which provide results within 24 to 48 hours and can travel to hotels in certain cities.
Agadir, Essaouira and Marrakech, contrasting situations
While the number of weekly contaminations has been steadily declining for three weeks and Morocco is preparing to begin a vaccination campaign, health pressure remains high. General measures – wearing a mask under penalty of a fine of around 300 dirhams, physical distancing and strict protocols in public places – remain in force everywhere but certain cities such as Casablanca or Agadir are subject to more restrictive measures: curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., closing of markets at 3 p.m., restaurants and cafes at 8 p.m.
In Agadir in particular, the extension of the beach closure for two weeks was announced on December 5, leading to a cascade of cancellations in hotels welcoming surfers. While 65% of the park is operational, professionals however expect restrictions to be lifted from December 19 if the health situation improves, and the city prepares for the end-of-year holidays.
In Marrakech as in Essaouira, the constraints are lighter. Nightclubs and casinos in the ocher city keep their doors closed, but cafes and restaurants can stay open until 11 p.m. Golf courses are accessible as are spas (except hammams for the most part). Life therefore returns to its almost normal course.
Most restaurants have reopened in the ocher city, particularly in the Hivernage district, a stronghold of nightlife. Just like the cultural places, Majorelle garden, Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech museum (mYSLm) and art galleries. We are even seeing new addresses, boutiques and designer cafés flourish. Transport between cities, subject to authorization, is also made easier as long as you go through your hotel concierge or the excursion desk.
“For a tourist, it’s as usual but with the luxury of feeling like it’s low season”
The medinas, on the other hand, far from their usual effervescence, are still playing the sleeping beauty, like in Marrakech, where riads, shops and cafes are reopening sparingly. But if certain key monuments, Saadian tombs, La Bahia palace or Ben Youssef madrasa are missing, other gems take over, such as the Secret Garden, the House of Photography or the Confluences Dar El Bacha museum.
The opportunity to enjoy less crowded places in complete peace and quiet. In Essaouira where the streets have regained color just like the ocean, a mecca for kite-surfing, “for a tourist, it’s as usual but with the luxury of feeling like you’re in low season,” notes Grégoire Aubron, associate director of the Jardin des Douars.
Hotels in the starting blocks
On the hotel side, the first wave of reopenings is confirmed: some 70 establishments in Essaouira and more than a hundred in Marrakech are preparing to accommodate travelers, with attractive packages, including in the surrounding area. In the Agafay desert, 30 minutes from the ocher town, around ten camps promise total disconnection and a return to the great outdoors.
In the wake of La Mamounia, which is sold out for the week of December 27, hoteliers are seeing “a real enthusiasm for the destination” summarizes Fabrice Castellorizios, General Manager of Radisson Blue. And those who have not yet completed their schedule are counting on last minute reservations thanks to the increase in flights.
More frequent air connections
Royal Air Maroc, which has just launched insurance dedicated to Covid-19, will significantly intensify its program from December 15 as part of a relaunch in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), particularly on routes to Marrakech from Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux and Agadir from Lyon. The company is also preparing to open a direct Paris/Dakhla flight.
Air France is significantly increasing its offer in view of the dynamism of demand, with more than thirty weekly flights in December from Paris CDG to Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. For its part, Transavia is gaining momentum with no less than 16 routes operated to Morocco between December 14 and January 4, from Paris-Orly, Nantes, Lyon and Montpellier (new, with a flight to Marrakech). The Air France-KLM subsidiary is also taking the opportunity to relaunch flights to Fez, Tangier, Ouarzazate, the southern gateway and its Paris-Orly/Essaouira connection. Ryanair, Air Arabia and TUIfly also serve Morocco from France.
There remains one unknown: the progress of the festivities for New Year’s Eve on December 24 and especially the evening of December 31. Tourism professionals hope to obtain an exemption to extend hours beyond 11 p.m. and provide musical entertainment. Response later this month to find out if we will be able to end the year with a bang. At Inara camp in the Agafay desert, music or not, we will burn 2020 in a big campfire under the stars, Burning Man style, just to start 2021 under the sign of renewal.
source: hespress.com
