This year, many Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) preferred to enjoy their summer vacation in other European tourist destinations, abandoning Morocco where tourism services (hotels, restaurants and cafes) are overpriced.
Moroccans are exasperated by the exaggerated and unjustified rise in prices of certain products such as fish, red meat, and chicken, not hesitating to boycott these products and the importing companies they accuse of supporting Israel in the conflict in Gaza.
In Morocco, the exaggerated increase in the prices of tourist services (hotels, cafes and restaurants) during the summer season significantly affects domestic tourism and the local economy.
In Morocco, red meat prices continue to rise, reaching 120 dirhams per kilogram in some retail outlets.
Prices are reaching record highs in Morocco. Cafes and restaurants are heavily affected by this galloping inflation. They are facing a drastic drop in their revenues.
The high costs of caterers this summer are pushing Moroccan families to review their wedding budgets downward and opt for sober celebrations with a limited guest list. The culprit is the surge in food, red meat, poultry and fish prices.
Internet users continue to alert on social networks about the exaggerated rise in prices in some cafes and restaurants in the northern cities of Morocco, a campaign that is damaging the tourist activity in the region during this summer period.
According to data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the consumer price index (CPI) recorded an increase of 1% in the first half of 2024, with a variation of 0.4% from one month to the next, and 1.8% in June compared to the same period in 2023.
During this summer period, many Moroccan families are opting for the rental of daily apartments, particularly in coastal cities. This trend, largely motivated by economic reasons, is explained in particular by the rise in hotel rates and the saturation of available establishments.
This year, many Moroccan families have chosen not to travel within the kingdom for their summer holidays. The reason is the widespread increase in prices and the early payment of June salaries on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.
The galloping inflation has severely affected the purchasing power of Moroccans who are forced to go into debt to meet their vital needs and afford summer vacations.
The purchasing power of Moroccans has decreased in 2024 compared to last year, according to a study conducted by L’Économiste-Sunergia. The culprit is galloping inflation, which has forced the majority of Moroccans to review their consumption.