Morocco Court Western Sahara Visitors Amid Accusations of Consolidating Authority

An email from Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair recently popped into my inbox, inquiring whether I was prepared for my "next Moroccan adventure." The destination was Dakhla, a city situated on a windswept peninsula where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Sahara Desert. The prospect seemed appealing, particularly given that return flights from Madrid to Dakhla start at just €30 (£26), with numerous layovers in the Spanish capital required. The region is also touted as Morocco’s "hidden gem," boasting a wide array of lodging choices ranging from budget hostels to newly constructed luxury resorts.

However, beneath the promotional veneer lies a complex geopolitical reality. Any traveler booking this trip is effectively entering one of the world’s most protracted territorial conflicts. Dakhla is located in Western Sahara, a region the United Nations designates as a "non-self-governing territory," indicating that the local populace lacks self-governance. Currently, approximately 80% of Western Sahara is under the administration and occupation of Morocco, its northern neighbor. Rabat views the area as an integral part of its sovereign land, referring to it as its "southern provinces."

Despite the UN’s long-standing efforts to resolve the half-century-old dispute—often advocating for a referendum—the indigenous population has never had the opportunity to vote on their political future. According to rights organizations and legal specialists speaking to the BBC, marketing Western Sahara as Moroccan territory raises significant issues regarding international law. Critics argue that such promotional efforts serve to legitimize Morocco’s occupation of the region. The Moroccan government declined to comment when asked for a statement on the matter.

Tourism data from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism indicates a substantial surge in visitors to the Morocco-controlled parts of Western Sahara, with numbers climbing by over 50% in the last seven years. Specifically, visitor figures rose from 490,297 in 2019 to 743,133 in 2025. This growth is largely driven by the expansion of air connectivity. In addition to the national carrier Royal Air Maroc, airlines such as Ryanair, Transavia France, and Binter Canarias now offer direct flights from Madrid, Paris, and the Canary Islands, respectively.

Tom Ruck, a 29-year-old British tourist, recently traveled to Dakhla from Madrid on Ryanair. He noted that while many resorts are under construction, they appeared largely vacant. "There were a few other tourists knocking about for a summer family holiday kind of thing," Ruck observed, adding that the industry "definitely felt like it was in its infancy." He reported receiving a Moroccan passport stamp and seeing the Moroccan flag displayed prominently throughout the city.

This influx of tourism coincides with heavy investment by the Moroccan government in developing the sector in recent years, a move that has encouraged airlines to list Western Sahara destinations as part of Morocco. Transavia France stated to the BBC that it operates flights to Dakhla in compliance with authorizations granted by local authorities. Ryanair did not respond to requests for comment. In contrast, Binter Canarias, the flag carrier of Spain’s autonomous Canary Islands, distinguishes itself by referring to the region as Western Sahara. It operates services to both Dakhla and Laayoune, the territory’s largest city.

Erik Hagen of the campaign group Western Sahara Resource Watch criticized airlines that label the territory as Moroccan, describing the practice as both misleading and concerning. "When companies market destinations there as Moroccan, they risk contributing to a distortion of international law and public understanding," Hagen said. He further emphasized that this raises "serious questions about corporate responsibility and due diligence in politically sensitive and illegally occupied territories."

The trend extends to major online travel agencies as well. Searches on Expedia, Booking.com, and Trivago for accommodation in Western Sahara typically list the locations as being within Morocco. A spokesperson for Booking.com explained, "If a particular region can be categorized as disputed or impacted by conflict, we add information to our platform."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-24 23:13:50 UTC