Chords Bridge in the colors of the Moroccan flag/Photo: Arnon Bousani
Despite its luxurious hotels, lively towns and bustling markets, Morocco seems a controversial holiday country among various tourists around the world, and some claim they will never return.
Although the destination is on the vacation list of many around the world, including many Israelis who began flying to Morocco with the opening of direct routes to the country, various social media surfers post opinions and videos on various platforms in order to distance their followers from visiting the country.
Costly scams, scary interactions and "exhausting" conversations are among the many reasons why some social media users say they have no plans to return to the North African country.
TikToker Sophie Milner went on holiday to Marrakech earlier this year, carrying "amazing memories" from two previous trips to the city. However, she said her recent vacation made her never visit the city. Speaking to her 40,000 followers on TikTok, she claimed she received the "worst customer service" 90 percent of her time there. "We went to a restaurant where I made a reservation, and they said I hadn't booked and tried to get rid of us," she tells the Daily Mail. "I had to show the confirmation they sent me by email. So they sat us down at dirty tables, didn't give us menus, chuckled at us and gave us disgusting treatment."
Milner, who previously worked as a waitress for eight years, said she had a similarly negative experience at most of the restaurants they dined at during their nearly two-week trip. However, there were also positive benefits to the trip. She said some of the restaurants they went to were amazing and the staff at one of the hotels they stayed at were amazing. Milner added: "There were some amazing taxi drivers who were so welcoming, so friendly."
Sophie told her followers: "You're always going to experience cultural differences when you go somewhere else and this... One of the reasons I love to travel.' But, she concluded: "In general, people (in Marrakech) were so, so rude. I've never experienced anything like it." She added that she was "surprised and horrified" by the experience.
@itssophiemilner I had such amazing memories from past trips which I will still try to hold separate from my most recent experience ? #travel #holidays ♬ original sound - Sophie Milner
"The conversations were exhausting"
Another TikToker, who goes by the username "8jelly8," said she would not return to Morocco herself. While Milner said she enjoyed a visit to Marrakech with eight of her friends, she said: "The conversations were exhausting at one point." Sharing with her 71,000 followers, she continued: "As a group of nine black American women, walking around and speaking English, we were kind of a phenomenon. So if they kept looking at me and calling me in a group of nine of us, I can't imagine what would happen if I was traveling alone."
She added that this was just her experience in Morocco, and it might be different for other travelers. Looking at the positives, the TikToker noted that Moroccan tour companies are amazing, as she and her friends enjoyed a day of riding SUVs in the desert.
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@8jelly8 Replying to @lilpeepaw44 ?? would absolutely go back to Morocco but not by myself #marrakech #morocco #blacktravelfeed #blacktravelblogger #blackgirlfollowtrain #blackgirltiktokers? #blacktravelmovement #moroccovacations #greenscreen ♬ Treat Beats - DJ FUNexpected
Experienced travel vlogger Ben Freer, who goes by the username Backpacker Ben, also said he would never return to Morocco after encountering relentless scammers who ruined most of his trip, according to a video he uploaded to YouTube.
Initially, he shared his positive experiences. According to him, he stayed in cheap and very nice hotels, while hotels in the capital, Rabat, cost a night starting at only 216 shekels a night. Speaking to his 243,000 subscribers, Ben said: "Overall the people in Morocco are very friendly, especially here in Rabat and Chefchaouen."
However, he said these positive experiences were "spoiled" by encounters with "aggressive" cheaters and aggressors. Ben, who has traveled to more than 80 countries, said Morocco has the largest number of scammers he has encountered and "it ruins the whole experience. We've had three or four instances where the locals tried to fight me because we said 'no' to what they were offering."
Ben shared some scams to watch out for, telling his followers to be "careful" where they take photos and videos, as scammers may demand money from them. He said he always requires taxi drivers to use the meter to avoid overcharging. He also advised beware of restaurants that hand out menus on the street with one price, but then charge double after eating there.
10.2 million tourists between January and August this year
Since posting his video, Ben has garnered 127,600 views and garnered thousands of comments from travelers with different opinions. One user commented: "As a Moroccan, I think it's time for international tourists to start sharing these kinds of experiences. The Moroccan government prides itself on being a tourist country, but still does not hurt fraudsters enough. I hope things change!"
Meanwhile, countless other social media users have enjoyed their time in Morocco. Between January and August this year, 10.2 million tourists arrived in Morocco, while the number may exceed pre-Covid figures of 13 million, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Will you go on vacation to Morocco at the end of the war with Gaza?
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