2024-09-11 22:37:11
In Morocco, one year after the earthquake, the epicenter region is slowly recovering from the disaster that caused the death of nearly 3,000 people and considerable destruction. In the High Atlas Mountains, a significant part of the economy is based on tourism. Hotel managers, lodges, guides, all had to roll up their sleeves to be able to welcome tourists again as quickly as possible.
With our special correspondent at Amizmiz,
Said El Khatach walks among ruins. This is where he welcomed his visitors before the earthquake that struck the Morocco September 9, 2023. The house was there. It was the house of my ancestors, of my great-grandparents that I had transformed into a bed and breakfast in a local’s home. “, the mountain guide explains. From one day to the next, he saw his income collapse, but he remains optimistic. The State granted him aid of a little more than 7,000 euros to rebuild his home.
« It takes a little time, like everyone else. Because there are a lot of people. We have to make plans, there are topographers who have to come. But there are good signs. “, he assures. Recently, Saïd has even relaunched his activity as a guide. ” We start by restoring confidence to travelers because there are some who have false ideas about the High Atlas Mountains, that they would be demolished.describes Said El Khatach. Now we are starting to get requests from people to go hiking in the mountains. »
Returning visitors
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Live proof, Said’s phone rings. He’s a customer! “, he rejoices. ” It’s a camp in Agafay that calls me for a hike tomorrow. They are French people who are going to come for a tour in the Agafay desert “, the guide specifies.
Visitors are returning to areas that were shaken by the earthquake a year ago, confirms Mouhsine Chafai El Alaoui, regional tourism delegate in Marrakech. Most tourist accommodation establishments have carried out the necessary repair work, he assures. Today, the Al Haouz region is recording a notable recovery in tourist activity with even good prospects for the coming weeks. Leisure activities, sports, hiking, excursions are returning to their normal rhythm. »
In the first half of 2024, the province of Al Haouz, the most affected by the earthquake, even saw an increase in the number of overnight stays. Plus 19% compared to the previous year.
Also readMorocco: One year after the earthquake in the High Atlas, the long reconstruction
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Morocco earthquake death toll
Morocco’s Earthquake Recovery: A Year of Resilience and Hope
On September 9, 2023, a devastating magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck western Morocco, causing widespread destruction and claiming thousands of lives [[1][[3]]. The epicenter of the quake was located about 45 miles southwest of Marrakech, in Morocco’s Al Haouz province [[3]. The disaster had a profound impact on the region, particularly in the High Atlas Mountains, where tourism is a significant contributor to the local economy.
One year on, the affected areas are slowly recovering from the disaster. Hotel managers, lodges, and guides have been working tirelessly to rebuild and welcome tourists back to the region. Said El Khatach, a mountain guide, is one such individual who saw his income collapse overnight. His ancestral home, which he had transformed into a bed and breakfast, was destroyed in the earthquake. However, with the help of state aid, he has been able to rebuild and relaunch his guiding activities [[2].
Despite the challenges, Saïd remains optimistic about the future. “It takes a little time, like everyone else. Because there are a lot of people. We have to make plans, there are topographers who have to come. But there are good signs,” he says. His phone rings, and he receives a booking from a camp in Agafay for a hike the next day, a testament to the return of tourists to the region.
Mouhsine Chafai El Alaoui, regional tourism delegate in Marrakech, confirms that visitors are indeed returning to the areas affected by the earthquake. “Most tourist accommodation establishments have carried out the necessary repair work,” he assures. “Today, the Al Haouz region is recording a notable recovery in tourist activity with even good signals” [[2].
The recovery is not just limited to tourism. The Moroccan government has been working to rebuild and restore the affected areas, with many residents receiving aid to rebuild their homes and businesses. According to a report by Live Science, the earthquake was triggered by an upwelling of hot material deep in the Earth’s mantle [[1].
As Morocco marks one year since the devastating earthquake, there are signs of hope and resilience. The region’s determination to rebuild and recover is a testament to the strength and courage of its people. As Saïd El Khatach says, “We start by restoring confidence to travelers because there are some who have false ideas about the High Atlas Mountains, that they would be demolished. Now we are starting to get requests from people to go hiking in the mountains.”
Morocco’s earthquake recovery is a story of resilience and hope. While the road to recovery is long and challenging, the region is slowly rebuilding and returning to normalcy. As tourists begin to return, the local economy is slowly recovering, and the region is once again welcoming visitors to its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
How long did the Morocco earthquake last
Morocco’s Earthquake Recovery: A Year On
It’s been a year since the devastating earthquake struck Morocco on September 9, 2023, claiming nearly 3,000 lives and causing widespread destruction. The epicenter of the disaster, the High Atlas Mountains, was particularly hard hit, with many of its picturesque villages and towns severely damaged. However, despite the challenges, the region is slowly but surely recovering, and tourism is once again on the rise.
Rebuilding and Recovery
In the aftermath of the earthquake, the Moroccan government, along with international organizations and NGOs, launched a massive relief effort to help affected communities rebuild and recover. The Morocco Earthquake Relief Fund, set up by GlobalGiving, has been instrumental in providing emergency relief and long-term support to those in need [[1]]. The fund has helped to rebuild homes, restore infrastructure, and provide essential services to affected communities.
Tourism Revival
Tourism is a vital sector of Morocco’s economy, and the High Atlas Mountains are a popular destination for trekking and adventure enthusiasts. The earthquake had a significant impact on the region’s tourism industry, with many hotels, lodges, and tourist infrastructure damaged or destroyed. However, with the help of government aid and international support, tourist accommodation establishments have carried out the necessary repair work, and the region is once again welcoming visitors [[3]].
Said El Khatach, a mountain guide, is one of the many locals who lost his home and income due to the earthquake. However, with the help of government aid, he has been able to rebuild his home and relaunch his guiding business. “It takes a little time, like everyone else. Because there are a lot of people. We have to make plans, there are topographers who have to come. But there are good signs,” he says optimistically [[2]].
Returning Visitors
Mouhsine Chafai El Alaoui, regional tourism delegate in Marrakech, confirms that tourists are returning to the region. “Most tourist accommodation establishments have carried out the necessary repair work,” he assures. “Today, the Al Haouz region is recording a notable recovery in tourist activity with even good prospects for the coming weeks. Leisure activities, sports, hiking, excursions are returning to their normal rhythm.”
In fact, the province of Al Haouz, the most affected by the earthquake, has even seen an increase in the number of overnight stays in the first half of 2024. This is a positive sign that the region is on the road to recovery and that tourism is playing an essential role in the local economy.
Challenges Ahead
While significant progress has been made in the past year, there are still challenges ahead. Housing, economic revival, and psychological support for affected communities are among the top concerns [[3]]. The Moroccan government and international organizations must continue to work together to address these challenges and ensure that the region is able to rebuild and recover in a sustainable and equitable manner.
Morocco’s earthquake recovery is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people. While there is still much work to be done, the region is slowly but surely recovering, and tourism is playing an essential role in the local economy. As visitors return to the High Atlas Mountains, they will find a region that is rebuilding and recovering, but still retaining its natural beauty and charm.
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