Earthquake in Morocco: Impact on Travel, Tourism, and Human Relief Efforts
Sep 11, 2023
A rapid update on the Morocco earthquake and which regions were most affected. Personal accounts of damaged offices, displaced staff, and family impacts. Clarification on where travel remains possible and which mountain villages need the most help. Discussion of tourism's role in recovery and practical plans for directing donations and relief efforts.
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Staff Homes Damaged While Family Remains Safe
Azadeen's Marrakech office and several staff homes were damaged by the quake, while his immediate family escaped harm.
Abdel from Imlil lost his house and sister's house was destroyed, yet many colleagues reported no casualties despite property damage.
insights INSIGHT
Tourism Is Still Viable Outside Affected Zones
Morocco remains open to travelers: airports, most riads, hotels and major attractions in Marrakech continue operating.
Damage is localized to mountain villages and parts of the old medina, so most itineraries can continue or be easily adjusted.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Support Recovery By Continuing Travel
Consider traveling to Morocco as a form of support because tourist spending helps recovery and local families.
Destination Morocco emphasizes that drivers, guides, riads and local partners directly benefit from ongoing tourism.
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Friday night's earthquake in Morocco was sudden and unexpected, and hit home for us here at Destination Morocco. Our office is based in Marrakech and sustained damage, and many of our staff are now homeless. Azdean, based in Houston, felt stuck and helpless, trying to figure out what he could do from so far away.
Many of our podcast listeners and former clients have reached out with their condolences and offers of help, for which we are very thankful and appreciative.
As we come to terms with this disaster, we know that the Moroccan people are very strong and resilient, will help each other to recover, and will rebuild. We know that tourism will continue, and we encourage people to keep planning their trips and bucket lists. Although Marrakech sustained a lot of damage, being closer to the epicentre, most of the country was untouched. The spirit and energy of travellers will help us enormously with the recovery in the weeks and months ahead.
Azdean is joined in today's quick episode by producer Ted to share the latest news and updates that he is aware of from Morocco. The situation is changing and evolving with every passing hour. We'll be making the most of the podcast platform to share updates as we receive them, and keep you apprised of ways to help.
As you may be aware, we have had a live Q&A session with Azdean scheduled for this Wednesday, September 13th at 9 AM Pacific Time, 12 noon Eastern, to answer questions on planning a memorable itinerary to Morocco.
We will continue with this event, but understandably our focus will change to answering your questions on the latest earthquake updates and response, how it will impact travel, what remains open, and what people can do to help.
We are in a privileged position at Destination Morocco in having direct access to aid workers and community organizations on the ground, and can coordinate funding and supplies to them quickly and efficiently.
Azdean has been working the phones day and night to put the pieces in place and pass the details along to you. Please join us Wednesday if you can, to learn more and have your questions answered directly. Simply follow the link below to join us live, or you can click here to RSVPand add a reminder to your calendar.
The event will be recorded, and of course we will have continuing updates on the website and the podcast.
Direct link for Wednesday's live event (session opens at 12 noon EDT):
Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience! Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean. November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per Person Book Your Spot Today!
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