Moroccan tourism professionals are apprehensive about European monkeypox outbreak

Moroccan tourism professionals are expressing increasing worry, considering rising monkeypox cases in neighboring Spain.

This Thursday, May 26, Spanish health authorities reported 25 new monkeypox cases, bringing the total tally of infections to 84.

Considering Spanish tourists’ significance for Morocco’s summer peak, and despite having no recorded cases in Morocco, concerns are being raised again about the impact of this recent health crisis on the tourism sector.

Although Moroccan health officials and experts are downplaying the possible impact of a monkeypox outbreak, tourist professionals who have been preparing to welcome European tourists remain weary, fearing at worse, new movement restricting measures.

Saad Berrani, a hostel manager in Taghazout told Hespress EN that “although the situation is currently stable, most sector professionals are trying to make the best out of this opening, and receive as many customers as possible,” as they fear it will soon be over, either due to a new COVID-19 peak or the monkeypox virus.”

Professor Said Afif, a member of the Scientific Committee for Vaccination, has also assured Hespress AR that “the impact of the virus on tourism activity in the Kingdom, and others, would be zero.”

The president of the Moroccan Association of Medical Sciences and the National Health Federation, justified this by highlighting that “the monkeypox virus is transmitted through direct contact or contact with means of the infected person, unlike infection with COVID-19 virus.”

The spokesman recorded that infection with monkeypox is not similar to COVID-19 infections, which requires strict precautionary measures, such as wearing a mask and social distancing.

Professor Afif explained that authorities are highly vigilant to confront this new virus.

Despite the reassurance, Moroccan tourism professional are still apprehensive, as they witness the slow progression of the virus in Europe.

This Thursday, Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said in a press conference that “tourism indicators are positive for this summer season,” noting that a number of factors intervened to make the outcome of this season look good and positive, especially in terms of the current amount of hotel bookings.