UK tourists ditch Europe for Morocco's affordable getaways amid anti-tourism sentiment
As summer holidays approach, more and more British tourists are ditching classic European hotspots like France, Spain, and Portugal in favor of North African destinations, especially Morocco. Aviation analysts have recently reported a significant surge in flights from the UK to the region, driven by the search for more affordable travel options such as Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt.
Recent data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, widely cited in British media, shows that 19,847 flights are expected to depart UK airports for North Africa in 2025, more than double the 8,653 flights recorded in 2019.
These rising trends haven't gone unnoticed by travel companies. Tui has reported strong demand for Morocco, attributing it to better value for money, while Booking.com noted a 39% increase in searches for summer holidays in Morocco.
Affordability and proximity
Travel experts say Morocco, along with other North African destinations, offers incredible value for money, drawing in budget-conscious British holidaymakers who might have otherwise chosen mainland Europe. One example of this affordability becomes clear when comparing a week-long stay in Agadir, renowned for its beaches, including the surf village of Taghazout, which costs around £889 (10,900 DH) per person, compared to European hotspots like Santorini, Mykonos, or Marbella, where prices can range from £1,000 (12,321 DH) to £2,700 (33,269 DH) per person, British media reports.
Proximity is another advantage. With round-trip fares as low as £30 (370 DH), many are opting for day trips or short stays, drawn by warm weather and accessible experiences—like one British tourist who spent just seven hours in Agadir with her son, enjoying the beach, cable car, and local food for a total of £120 (1,480 DH).
Rising anti-tourism sentiments in Europe
In addition to affordability and proximity, Morocco's appeal lies in its diverse landscapes, from the Sahara to the beach and the mountains, and its consistently beautiful weather, making it an ideal year-round destination.
Meanwhile, growing anti-tourism sentiment in parts of Europe may also be influencing this shift. In early June, residents in Spain and other European countries took to the streets to protest mass tourism, citing rising housing costs that are pricing locals out of their own cities.
The largest protests took place in Mallorca and Barcelona, with similar demonstrations in Lisbon, Venice, and elsewhere, where protestors marched, waved signs, and even sprayed tourists with water pistols.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Ait Ben Haddou Listed Among CNN Travel World's Most Beautiful Castles
Fez – What do castles mean to us today? Once built to protect and project power, these historic fortresses are now windows into the past, blending architecture, politics, and legend. Across continents and centuries, they stand as reminders of how humans sought permanence, whether through military strength, royal extravagance, or sheer visual poetry. And listed among the world's finest – within an exclusive list of 21 places as endorsed by CNN Travel – Morocco's own Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou takes its rightful place. These structures offer more than just imposing walls or romantic silhouettes. They were built to be both homes and strongholds, serving a dual purpose that has long fascinated historians and travelers alike. Marc Morris, a British medievalist, writes in CNN Travel that castles are unique in their combination of comfort and defense, a paradox resolved through ingenious design. And castles are everywhere, not just Europe. Japan, Mexico, India, and Morocco all boast distinctive examples. Some rise from forests, others cling to cliffs. Some are carved from stone; others, like Aït Ben Haddou, from mud and earth, blending seamlessly into their landscape. But all of them tell stories about ambition, survival, betrayal, art, and empire. Consider Japan's Himeji Castle, nicknamed the White Heron. A vision of elegance, it embodies the perfection of feudal Japanese architecture. Or Neuschwanstein in Germany, which looks more like the dream of a poet than the commission of a king, and yet it was King Ludwig II's operatic imagination that birthed its iconic spires. In Portugal, the Pena Palace explodes with color and theatrical flair, mixing Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance influences on a hill above Sintra. Meanwhile, India's Amber Fortress uses light and geometry to dazzle the eye, a stone choreography above Jaipur. Morocco's earthen treasure Let's talk about Aït Ben Haddou. Unlike many European castles, this Moroccan kasbah (fortress) is still alive. Located along the Asif Ounila River at the edge of the Sahara, it's a community of earthen dwellings fortified by high walls and watchtowers. Some families still live there, within its lower town. The hilltop citadel, partially in ruins, once gave strategic control to caravans traveling between Marrakech and Sudan. It's a product of Amazigh ingenuity, designed not for luxury but endurance, though its beauty is undeniable. Aït Ben Haddou's global fame was sealed through film. It's iconic architecture has appeared in productions ranging from 'Gladiator' to 'Game of Thrones.' Yet, the real drama lies in its survival: of time, climate, and now tourism. Unlike many castles turned into museums or relics, it is still partly inhabited, still breathing. Different locations, shared beauty If Morocco offers fortresses made from earth, France delivers grandeur in stone. The Château de Chambord, commissioned by François I in the Loire Valley, boasts 440 rooms and a staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. It's a structure that signaled the shift from fortress to palace, a change in how power chose to represent itself. In the same spirit, Istanbul's Topkapi Palace was more than the residence of Ottoman sultans. It was a city within a city: a political center, a religious institution, and now, a museum that houses imperial treasures and whispers of past intrigues. In Puerto Rico, Castillo San Felipe del Morro protected San Juan Bay from pirates and invaders for centuries. Built by the Spanish in the 16th century, it still stands defiantly, now part of a UNESCO site enjoyed by kite-flyers and history buffs alike. Scotland's Edinburgh Castle has endured more than 25 sieges and houses Britain's oldest crown jewels. It remains a symbol of Scottish identity, perched on a volcanic rock, hosting military tattoos, concerts, and state occasions. Back in the Mediterranean, Italy's Castello Aragonese rises from the sea on a volcanic islet near Naples. Its foundations stretch back to Greek antiquity, while its modern revival includes art exhibits and open-air cinemas with views of Mount Vesuvius. Even more dramatic is Slovenia's Predjama Castle, built into the mouth of a cave. Hidden tunnels made it nearly impossible to conquer. Today, it stages jousting tournaments and festivals that bring medieval life vividly back. There's also Kalmar Castle in Sweden, which began as a 12th-century tower and became a Renaissance residence, and the Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes, Greece, where Byzantine fortifications were turned into a Gothic sanctuary for knights, and later, a retreat for Mussolini. Across the Atlantic, Mexico's Castillo de Chapultepec is the only royal castle in the Americas. Once the palace of Emperor Maximilian, it's now the National Museum of History. And in the Middle East, Syria's Krak des Chevaliers remains a towering symbol of the Crusades, battered, but not erased by modern conflict. Each of these castles, in their own way, blends artistry with power. Some tell stories of conquest; others of refuge. Some dazzle with gold and glass; others impress through simplicity and endurance. CNN Travel's inclusion of Aït Ben Haddou among them proves something essential: that the idea of a castle transcends stone and steel. It can be built from mud, shaped by hands, and still survive centuries. Its strength lies not only in architecture, but in its connection to the land, to people, and to memory. These fortresses are not just monuments to what once was, they're living archives of how humans dreamt of power, shelter, and beauty. And among them, Morocco's desert stronghold stands firm.
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Royal Air Maroc Launches Direct Service from London Stansted to Casablanca
Rabat – Morocco's national carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has added a new direct flight route between London Stansted Airport and Casablanca, marking its first-ever service from this London hub. The new route began operations on June 24, 2025, and runs three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays—using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The flight lasts just over three hours. This addition expands the airline's UK operations beyond its existing services from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. London Stansted is the UK's third-busiest airport and serves a large population in North and east London as well as surrounding regions, making it a strategic choice for Royal Air Maroc as it seeks to increase accessibility for Moroccan nationals, tourists, and business travelers. Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and commercial center, serves as a major hub for both connecting flights within Africa and direct access to the country's economic and cultural offerings. This launch comes amid Royal Air Maroc's record breaking summer 2025 program, with over 6.6 million seats offered across 95 destinations–an increase of more than 700,000 compared to last year–as Morocco steps up efforts to boost air links with key European markets In 2020, Royal Air Maroc became the first African airline to join the OneWorld alliance, linking Morocco to a global network of major carriers including British Airways, American Airlines, and Qatar Airways. The move integrated RAM into shared booking and loyalty systems, while reinforcing its role as a key regional hub. Tags: London Stansted to CasablancaRAMRoyal Air MarocUnited Kingdom Morocco
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
Airbus Seeks to Expand Partnership with Morocco's Growing Aviation Sector
Rabat — European aircraft manufacturer Airbus wants to strengthen its presence in Morocco, where the aviation sector offers 'plenty of opportunities,' according to the company's executive vice president for international affairs. Wouter Van Wersch made these comments to reporters after meeting with Moroccan officials at the 55th Paris Air Show, held from June 16-22 in the French capital's suburbs. 'We have a long-standing presence in Morocco. The Kingdom serves as a very close partner to Airbus,' Van Wersch told the press following discussions with the Moroccan delegation at Le Bourget. The Airbus executive described the talks with Moroccan representatives as 'excellent' and noted both sides share a common desire to deepen the company's presence and collaboration with Morocco. The European manufacturer now employs nearly 2,000 people in the country following its recent acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems' Casablanca facility. High-level Moroccan delegation visits Airbus stand The Moroccan delegation at the Airbus stand included several key government ministers: Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh, Industry and Commerce Minister Ryad Mezzour, Deputy Minister for Investment Karim Zidane, and Ali Seddiki, Director General of Morocco's Investment and Export Development Agency (AMDIE). Minister Mezzour focused on the strategic agreements linking Morocco to Airbus, one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers. 'We work together on future prospects for the Moroccan platform,' he said. 'Airbus just bought the Spirit factory that makes aircraft fuselages, particularly for the A220, in Nouaceur,' Mezzour explained, adding that both parties work toward achieving the goal of establishing 'final aircraft assembly in Morocco.' Morocco prepares for major aviation expansion Deputy Minister Zidane pointed out that the meeting with Airbus executives comes at the right time as Morocco prepares to host major international events, particularly the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. He said that Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Morocco's national carrier, plans to expand its fleet from 50 to 200 aircraft by 2037. For this 'large market' that already attracts interest from global aviation leaders, the Moroccan government insists on 'win-win partnerships.' 'Airbus understands this challenge. We want the group to invest part of its aviation investments in Morocco for technology transfer and know-how sharing,' Zidane said. He welcomed Airbus's willingness to invest more in Morocco. Transport Minister Kayouh also described the meeting as 'very productive,' especially regarding RAM's fleet expansion plans. He stressed the importance of new technologies to 'meet needs, particularly with Casablanca's new hub, which will become a true international and African hub.' Morocco's aviation industry strengths AMDIE Director General Seddiki spoke of Morocco's advantages, noting that the country can 'secure the European group and support its strong production increase' thanks to its skilled workforce, quality human capital, world-class infrastructure, and comprehensive industrial strategy. At the Paris Air Show, AMDIE partnered with the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Group (GIMAS) to set up a Morocco pavilion hosting six Moroccan companies. The pavilion features the expertise and dynamism of the national aerospace industry. Through its participation in this major aviation event, Morocco aims to promote the aerospace sector's strengths and opportunities while enhancing the country's attractiveness to industry professionals. Over the past 20 years, Morocco has successfully built a diversified and competitive aerospace industry. The sector features global leaders including Boeing, Airbus, Safran, Hexcel, Eaton, Alcoa, Le Piston Français, Daher, Collins Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney. Tags: AirbusMoroccan Aerospace IndustryRAM
