The ban on the consumption of shisha in public places for tourists in Marrakech concerns parliamentary deputy Aziza Boujrida. In a written question addressed to the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, she declared that this ban, emanating from decision No. 02 of 2010 of the municipality of Marrakech, today raises questions about its impact on the tourist and economic sector of the city, a large part of the commercial activity of which is based on this area. Boujrida did not fail to highlight the importance of shisha in Marrakech. Shisha is considered a part of social and cultural traditions for many tourists, she believes, adding that it has become a point of debate between the need to preserve public health on the one hand, and the repercussions of this ban on economic activities, on the other.
To read: Marrakech is on the hunt for shisha cafes
Recent campaigns targeting the consumption of shisha in the city, including in tourist spots and cafes, have shown that this activity contributes significantly to the creation of jobs for a large number of citizens, making this ban threatens the stability of large segments of workers in this sector, recalled the elected official, before questioning the minister on the measures that the government plans to take to regulate this activity, while guaranteeing the preservation of public health, while strengthening the local economy and avoiding to affect sectors linked to tourism, particularly in the context where Morocco is preparing to host numerous major international events which will attract millions of tourists.
To read: Morocco: shisha smoke poisons the school
-“Faced with the increase in the number of tourists in Marrakech, which has become the largest African tourist destination in 2024, it is imperative for the government to think about ways to regulate the consumption of shisha instead of banning it completely, in order to contribute to the sustainability of the growing tourism sector,” underlined Boujrida.
Morocco
