The city of the trade winds, which has bet on tourism as a locomotive for its process of opening up and economic recovery, is beginning to feel the impact of the economic crisis in the eurozone. A good number of operators have closed shop following a failed season and a difficult economic situation. This slump has not inspired the decision-makers who are supposed to take measures to come to the rescue of this important sector of the Moroccan economy.

Admittedly, Essaouira has always been a transit zone for tourists whose length of stay does not exceed 2 to 3 nights. It has thus always depended on the source destinations, Marrakech mainly, which in turn are suffering the repercussions of the economic crisis, but its problems are not limited to the cyclical aspect, since it is called upon, more than ever, to fight against informal tourism which continues to grow in the city centre and the surrounding areas.

"We are subject to very rigid quality and safety controls; we pay our taxes on a regular basis; we cover monthly expenses as we suffer the repercussions of the situation which is not good at all. All we ask in return is that our interests as well as those of hundreds of employees and suppliers be protected. The competent services are doing nothing to fight against informal tourism which is spreading in an alarming way in Essaouira. Here, we are so tolerant with those who operate clandestinely to the point that we grant them what we refuse to those who work in a legal way," indignantly state several tourism operators during a meeting with "Libé".

Indeed, and as we have raised on several occasions, Essaouira has become the eldorado of informal tourism. Several dozen Riads and guest houses have been bought, furnished and managed clandestinely by buyers who only content themselves with organising the arrival and departure of their clients who pay for their stays in foreign currency into accounts abroad. In the guest houses in question, you will only find a cleaning lady who takes care of the reception and comfort of the clients in complete discretion!

At the heart of the old Medina, we are confronted with an activity that brings a lot to this category of investors who exploit the space, history, environment, infrastructure and basic services without paying anything in return to the city and the State.

"There is great complicity between certain officials and these investors who use vile methods to run their business. You cannot hide the sun with your little finger, there are corrupt people who tolerate and turn a blind eye to violations of the law on a daily basis," says the owner of a hotel in the old Medina.

Unfortunately, it is not only the informal sector managed without authorisation, there are also authorised establishments, but which allow themselves to add certain illegal activities.

Simple restaurants transformed into dance halls, bars opened without authorisation for several years in the very heart of popular neighbourhoods, among others. In short, when you tolerate the informal, you have the regular ones that shift into the clandestine!

The question of taxes is today at the heart of this problem, because the State loses a lot at the local and national level, without forgetting of course its impact on the business and trade climate.

Therefore, the local authorities and elected officials as well as the supervisory ministry must act to curb this haemorrhage which risks ruining all the efforts deployed for several years in Essaouira, which has always strived to preserve its natural, cultural and urbanistic wonders.