Morocco boosting tourism to tighten its control of Western Sahara Morocco is expanding its tourism infrastructure in Western Sahara, a region it administers as part of its sovereign territory, while the international community continues to classify the area as a disputed, non-self-governing territory. The move has drawn criticism from rights groups and legal experts, who argue that marketing the region as Moroccan risks legitimizing Morocco’s occupation and undermining the rights of the indigenous Sahrawi people. Recent developments in air travel and hospitality have significantly increased tourist access to Western Sahara, with airlines such as Ryanair, Transavia France, and Binter Canarias now offering direct flights to cities like Dakhla and Laayoune. Ryanair, for instance, describes Dakhla as a “Moroccan adventure,” while Transavia France claims its flights to the region comply with “authorisations received from the authorities.” These routes have contributed to a surge in visitor numbers, which rose by over 50% between 2019 and 2025, according to Moroccan tourism data. The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism reported that 490,297 tourists visited the area in 2019, compared to 743,133 in 2025. Tourists like Tom Ruck, a UK visitor who traveled to Dakhla via Ryanair, describe the region as being in its early stages of development. Ruck noted that while resorts are being built, many remain largely empty, with only a few other tourists present. He observed Moroccan flags flying prominently in the city and received a Moroccan passport stamp, reinforcing the perception that the area is part of Morocco. The Moroccan government has invested heavily in promoting tourism in Western Sahara, a strategy that has attracted airlines and hospitality providers. However, this approach has sparked controversy.#morocco #bookingcom #western_sahara #ryanair #transavia_france
