Morocco Court Tourists for Western Sahara Visits Amidst Accusations of Tightening Grip

The allure of Dakhla, a windswept city situated where the Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, has recently become a focal point for Moroccan tourism campaigns. The promotion began in earnest in March when an email arrived in the inbox of a travel journalist from Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair, inviting them to embark on their "next Moroccan adventure."

For travelers willing to make a stopover in Madrid, the journey to Dakhla is surprisingly affordable, with return flights from the Spanish capital starting at just €30 (£26). The region is heavily marketed as Morocco’s "hidden gem," boasting a wide array of lodging options that range from budget-friendly hostels to newly constructed luxury resorts. However, these promotional materials gloss over a complex geopolitical reality: tourists booking these trips are actually entering Western Sahara, one of the world’s most protracted territorial disputes.

Under United Nations classification, Western Sahara is designated as a "non-self-governing territory," indicating that its indigenous population lacks the ability to govern itself. Currently, Morocco, the region’s northern neighbor, administers approximately 80% of the land. Rabat considers this area an integral part of its sovereign nation, referring to it as the "southern provinces." Despite the UN’s consistent calls for a resolution to the half-century-old conflict—including proposals for a self-determination referendum—the local people have never been given the opportunity to vote on their political future.

Legal experts and human rights organizations have raised alarms regarding the marketing of Western Sahara as Moroccan territory. They argue that such labeling not only violates international law but also serves to legitimize what they describe as an occupation. The Moroccan government has declined to comment on these allegations.

Despite the political controversy, tourism numbers in the Moroccan-controlled zones are surging. Data released by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism reveals a 50% increase in visitors over the last seven years. The figure rose from 490,297 in 2019 to 743,133 in 2025. This surge is largely driven by an expansion in air connectivity. In addition to the national carrier Royal Air Maroc, carriers such as Ryanair, Transavia France, and Binter Canarias now operate direct routes from Madrid, Paris, and the Canary Islands, respectively.

Tom Ruck, a 29-year-old tourist from the UK, recently flew to Dakhla from Madrid with Ryanair. He noted that while many resorts are under construction, they remain largely empty. "You’ve got quite a lot of resorts being built, however they were very, very empty," Ruck observed. He described the atmosphere as suitable for a "summer family holiday," yet admitted the industry "definitely felt like it was in its infancy." Ruck confirmed that upon arrival, he received a Moroccan passport stamp and observed the Moroccan flag flying prominently across the city.

The Moroccan government’s significant investment in developing the tourism infrastructure in Western Sahara has incentivized airlines to list destinations within the territory as part of Morocco. Transavia France stated to the BBC that it operates flights to Dakhla in compliance with authorizations received from local authorities. Ryanair did not respond to requests for comment. Conversely, Binter Canarias, the flag carrier of Spain’s Canary Islands, distinguishes itself by referring to the area as Western Sahara rather than Morocco. The airline serves both Dakhla and Laayoune, the territory’s largest city.

Erik Hagen, representing the campaign group Western Sahara Resource Watch, criticized the practice of airlines labeling the territory as Moroccan. He described the trend as both "misleading and concerning," warning that such marketing contributes to a distortion of international law and public perception. Hagen emphasized that this raises "serious questions about corporate responsibility and due diligence in politically sensitive and illegally occupied territories."

This labeling extends to major online travel agencies as well. Searches for accommodations in Western Sahara on platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, and Trivago typically list the hotels as being located in Morocco. Regarding this practice, a spokesperson 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