Morocco Court Visitors to Western Sahara Amid Accusations of Consolidating Control

In March, an invitation arrived in my inbox from Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair, prompting me to consider my "next Moroccan adventure." The destination: Dakhla, a city situated on a windswept peninsula where the Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. While the journey requires a layover in Madrid, return flights from the Spanish capital are surprisingly affordable, starting at just €30 (£26). The region boasts a wide array of lodging, ranging from budget hostels to newly constructed luxury resorts that market the area as Morocco’s "hidden gem."

However, beneath the promotional gloss lies a complex geopolitical reality. Any traveler booking this trip is actually 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." This classification indicates that the local population lacks self-governance. Approximately 80% of Western Sahara is currently occupied and administered by Morocco, its northern neighbor, which claims the land as its sovereign "southern provinces." Despite the UN’s longstanding efforts to resolve the half-century-old dispute—including proposals for a referendum—the indigenous inhabitants have never been given the opportunity to vote on their political future.

According to rights advocates and legal specialists interviewed by the BBC, labeling and promoting Western Sahara as an integral part of Morocco raises significant issues under international law. Critics argue that such marketing practices contribute to the legitimization of Morocco’s occupation. The Moroccan government did not respond to requests for comment on these allegations.

Tourism data underscores a significant surge in visitors to the Moroccan-controlled portion of Western Sahara. Figures from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism reveal that visitor numbers have climbed by over 50% in the last seven years, rising from 490,297 in 2019 to 743,133 in 2025. This growth is largely driven by an expansion in air connectivity. In addition to the national carrier Royal Air Maroc, airlines such as Ryanair, Transavia France, and Binter Canarias now operate direct flights to the region from Madrid, Paris, and the Canary Islands, respectively.

Tom Ruck, a 29-year-old tourist from the UK, recently traveled to Dakhla from Madrid with Ryanair. He observed that while numerous resorts are under construction, many remained "very, very empty." Ruck noted that although there were other visitors enjoying a summer family holiday, the sector "definitely felt like it was in its infancy." He reported receiving a Moroccan passport stamp and noted that the Moroccan flag is prominently displayed throughout the city.

This influx of tourism follows years of heavy investment by the Moroccan government in developing the region’s tourism infrastructure, a move that has enticed airlines to list destinations within Western Sahara as part of Morocco. Transavia France stated to the BBC that it operates flights to Dakhla "in accordance with the authorisations received from the authorities." Ryanair has not provided a comment. Conversely, Binter Canarias, the flag carrier of Spain’s autonomous Canary Islands, distinguishes itself by referring to the area as Western Sahara. The airline serves both Dakhla and Laayoune, the territory’s largest city.

Erik Hagen, representing the campaign group Western Sahara Resource Watch, criticized airlines for referring to the territory as Moroccan, describing the practice as both "concerning and misleading." Hagen warned that marketing destinations in this manner risks distorting public understanding and international law. He emphasized that such practices raise "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. A search on Expedia, Booking.com, and Trivago for accommodations in Western Sahara typically lists the hotel locations as being in Morocco. In response, a Booking.com spokesperson explained that the platform adds specific information regarding disputed or conflict-affected regions to its listings.

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