Morocco, a destination lauded for its historic cities and picturesque landscapes, is facing increased scrutiny over tourist safety concerns. A growing number of Western visitors have reported incidents of robbery, scams, and intimidation in popular tourist hubs like Marrakech and Fez. These accounts have led to updated travel advisories from both the U.S. and Canadian governments.
The U.S. State Department advises tourists to exercise increased caution, assigning the country a Level 2 advisory due to terrorism and crime concerns in major tourist areas. Nearly half a million Americans visited Morocco last year. Canada also issued an updated advisory in April, warning visitors of risks including terrorism, petty crime, armed robbery, fraud, and civil unrest.
Travelers like Alex Zhang, a 28-year-old accounting manager from Toronto, recounted a frightening experience upon arrival in Marrakech. Zhang reported being cornered by two men in a dark alley who demanded money and threatened him when he had none. He described the encounter as his most dangerous experience as a solo traveler. "I feel like you can have bad experiences anywhere," Zhang stated, "I'll still travel solo, I just need to be a little bit smarter."
One common scam involves individuals approaching tourists with unsolicited guidance, often claiming roads or landmarks are closed, and then leading them through unmarked alleys. These guides may eventually steer tourists to secluded areas and demand escalating amounts of money. Zhang reported a similar encounter the following day, where he was subjected to anti-gay slurs when he refused to pay.
Women traveling alone have also reported experiencing harassment and, in some cases, assault. Travel blogger Erin Hynes, 36, from Toronto, shared an account of a sexual assault in Marrakech in 2016 while backpacking solo. Hynes described being grabbed by a young assailant but was able to scream until local people intervened. She did not report the assault to the police at the time, stating she was in shock and did not believe reporting would yield results. Despite this experience, Hynes returned to Morocco in 2023, acknowledging that such incidents can occur anywhere but emphasizing the need for awareness.
"It's something you need to be aware of if you're traveling there. Unfortunately, it's a cultural norm," Hynes said regarding unwanted attention from men, while also noting that Morocco has implemented legal reforms to protect women. She added, "Cultural shifts are slower. As a tourist, you've chosen to be there, so it's not realistic to expect the same cultural norms as you have at home."
Kate and Jeremy Storm, who maintain the Our Escape Clause travel blog, detailed an experience in 2016 near Marrakech's tanneries. They encountered a group of men who claimed the streets were closed and directed them to fake guides who pressured them into paying an inflated fee for a tour they did not request. After paying approximately $21, they were followed and confronted, with Jeremy being shoved. The couple eventually escaped by hailing a taxi. This incident remains their most harrowing travel experience.
Morocco's tourism sector has also been impacted by more severe incidents, including the December 2018 murder of two Scandinavian backpackers near the Atlas Mountains, an act attributed to Islamic State-inspired extremists. This event led to a significant anti-terror investigation and resulted in convictions for multiple individuals.
Tourist safety is a critical concern for Moroccan officials, particularly as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup. The nation has worked to build a reputation as a secure destination, and its security services have actively worked to thwart potential threats. However, the experiences reported by tourists raise questions about the effectiveness of these measures in all areas and instances. Morocco does not publish detailed statistics on crimes against foreign tourists, making it difficult to assess the scale of the problem.