Morocco Promotes Tourism in Western Sahara Amid Claims of Stricter Control

In March, a promotional email arrived in my inbox from Irish budget carrier Ryanair, inquiring whether I was prepared for my "next Moroccan adventure." The destination highlighted was Dakhla, a city situated on a windswept peninsula where the Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. The visuals were undeniably appealing. Although the journey required a transfer through Madrid, return flights from the Spanish capital to Dakhla were advertised starting at just €30 (£26). The city offers a wide array of lodging choices, ranging from budget hostels to new luxury resorts that market the region as a hidden gem within Morocco.

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." This classification indicates that the local population lacks self-governance. Currently, Morocco, its northern neighbor, occupies and administers approximately 80% of the territory. Rabat considers Western Sahara an integral part of its sovereign land, referring to it as its "southern provinces."

For five decades, the UN has advocated for a resolution to the dispute, including the holding of a referendum, yet the indigenous inhabitants have never had the opportunity to vote on their political future. Legal experts and human rights organizations warn the BBC that labeling Western Sahara as Moroccan territory in marketing campaigns raises significant issues under international law, potentially legitimizing what they view as an occupation. The Moroccan government did not respond to requests for comment regarding these allegations.

According to data from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, visitor numbers in the Moroccan-controlled parts of Western Sahara have surged by over 50% in the last seven years. The figures rose from 490,297 in 2019 to 743,133 in 2025. This tourism boom 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 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 on Ryanair. He noted that while many resorts are under construction, they were largely vacant during his visit. Ruck observed that while there were other tourists present, the atmosphere felt like a "summer family holiday," and he described the industry as being in its early stages. Upon arrival, he received a stamp in his passport from Moroccan authorities, and the Moroccan flag was prominently displayed throughout the city.

This influx of visitors follows years of heavy investment by the Moroccan government in developing tourism infrastructure in the region. These efforts have 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 the relevant authorities. Ryanair has not provided a comment on the matter.

In contrast, Binter Canarias, the flag carrier of Spain’s Canary Islands, distinguishes itself by referring to the area as Western Sahara. The airline operates services to both Dakhla and Laayoune, the territory’s largest city.

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

Major international booking platforms, including Expedia, Booking.com, and Trivago, also list hotel locations in Western Sahara as being in Morocco. A representative for Booking.com noted, "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