Atlas Mountains: After the Tremors, a Quiet Resurrection
On the morning I arrived in Marrakech, the sun glinted off scaffolding ring-fencing the centuries-old Kharbouch Mosque in Jemaa el-Fna square—one of dozens of heritage monuments that bore the brunt of September’s seismic shock. In the immediate aftermath, flight bookings plunged by 35% and remained 22% below pre-quake levels for three weeks. Yet Moroccan authorities moved swiftly: hotels underwent rigorous structural inspections, safety corridors were established around damaged historic quarters, and a comprehensive recovery plan was rolled out to shore up visitor confidence within weeks.
By spring 2025, the familiar bustle had returned to the riads lining the medina’s ochre lanes. Outside boutique cafés, travellers linger over mint tea. At the same time, local guides weave tales of how ornate cedar-wood balconies survived the tremors—testimony to centuries-old craftsmanship that continues to anchor Morocco’s tourism appeal.
In the Atlas foothills, the scars of the quake remain evident. In al-Haouz province alone, more than 55,000 homes were destroyed, leaving many families to endure harsh winters in temporary tents. A year later, some displaced villagers still inhabit plastic shelters in Tassloumte, their roofs patched with tarpaulin as they await promised reconstruction aid.
Yet adversity has spurred remarkable community ingenuity. Groups like the Atlas Eco-Cooperative have transformed earthquake-damaged fields into eco-camps, offering guests immersive stays in traditional tents, guided treks through olive groves, and evenings by communal fire pits under the Milky Way. “Tourism saved us,” says Hassan, a mule-trail guide whose home lay in ruins. “Guests come, stay with us, and their bookings help rebuild our village.”
Tourism remains a linchpin of Morocco’s economy, accounting for around 7% of the GDP and employing over 500,000 people directly. After welcoming 13.2 million visitors by November 2023 and breaching the 14 million mark by December’s end, the sector sprinted ahead in 2024, attracting 17.4 million arrivals—a record high achieved two years earlier than planned. In real terms, visitor spending rose to 104 billion dirhams between January and November 2024, up 7.2% year-on-year.
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation has lauded Morocco as Africa’s prime tourism hub, noting that nearly half of 2024’s arrivals were Moroccans living abroad, eager to reconnect with their homeland heritage and support local businesses. Ambitious targets now aim for 26 million tourists by 2030, coinciding with Morocco’s co-hosting of the World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
In late 2024, the European Union pledged €200 million in reconstruction aid, bringing the total EU support for quake-hit regions to €1 billion. This funding will support road repairs, housing grants, and community infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has unveiled plans to double airport capacity, boosting Marrakech’s gateway to 14 million passengers by 2030, and extend the high-speed rail network to Agadir, broadening access to coastal and mountain destinations.
Yet growth brings its pressures. Water scarcity in the south, the risk of over-commercialisation in historic medinas, and the need for local-benefit tourism models demand vigilant management. UNESCO’s State Party reports confirm that Marrakech’s Medina, though slightly shaken, retains its Outstanding Universal Value, with emergency conservation budgets already allocated.
Morocco’s journey from seismic devastation to record-breaking tourism resurgence is a testament to collective resolve—government, communities, and visitors alike united in a shared endeavour. As you plan your next escape, consider venturing beyond Marrakech’s famed souks: stay in an Atlas eco-camp, support rebuilding artisans, and let your passport stamp become part of a story of renewal. Responsible travel here means not only experiencing Morocco’s sublime landscapes and storied culture but also sustaining the very communities that make it possible.