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A sacred moment at a dried-up oasis: M'Hammed Kilito's best photograph
A sacred moment at a dried-up oasis: M'Hammed Kilito's best photograph

The Guardian

time6 days ago

  • The Guardian

A sacred moment at a dried-up oasis: M'Hammed Kilito's best photograph

I travelled to Merzouga in east Morocco three years ago, hoping to photograph some wall drawings and writings I had seen there earlier – markings that showed the distance from the village to Timbuktu, in Mali, by camel. But when I arrived, the markings had vanished. Faced with this absence, I found myself seeking a new story, something unplanned. Mustapha was my guide that day. At first, he took me along the typical tourist trails, which didn't speak to my photographic interests. Then he suggested we explore the sand dunes. Initially, I wasn't particularly interested in these either, but then we came across this old well. I set up my camera, a 1972 Hasselblad 500, and my tripod. As I started to photograph the well, Mustapha stepped forward, instinctively leaning in to look inside. I hadn't imagined him in the picture but he didn't pay attention to me. That spontaneous gesture – part ritual, part desperation – transformed the scene completely. It felt sacred, as though he were praying for the return of something essential: water. This unplanned moment encapsulates the core of my wider project, Before It's Gone: the fragility of ecosystems, the human struggle for survival, the quiet persistence of memory in the face of environmental loss. I began the project in 2018, driven by my growing awareness of how dramatically oasis environments were changing in Morocco. I started noticing patterns: rising temperatures, shrinking water sources, abandoned palm groves and increasing rural exodus. What was once a source of life and resilience for entire communities was slowly being erased. I felt an urgent need to document this transformation – not just ecologically but socially and culturally. Over the years, the project has taken me to dozens of oases and expanded to include Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Mauritania. It has unfolded through travel, extended conversations and long-term engagement with the people who live in these spaces. What drives me is the conviction that these are not just local stories – they are global warnings. The climate crisis is often framed in abstract or future terms. Through this work, I want to make it visible, human and grounded in the present. Including the human figure was essential. Oases are not just geographic features: they are homes, livelihoods and cultural reservoirs shaped over centuries. In this photograph, Mustapha embodies that deep connection. His gesture of looking into the well is both literal and symbolic – it speaks to dependence, resilience and vulnerability, but also to hope and remembrance. This reflects my work, which explores the complex relationship between people and their environments. Whether I'm documenting oases' decline, Moroccan youth, or the sociology of work and migration, I'm interested in how individuals navigate change. Water scarcity is no longer just an environmental issue. It's a humanitarian crisis, especially in regions such as the Sahara, where life has always depended on fragile water sources. I hope images like this can serve as visual testimonies – simple, powerful reminders of what is at stake. Photography has taught me to slow down and pay attention to people, landscapes and silence. This shot is a portrait of loss but also of quiet resistance. Communities are being forced to leave the only homes they've ever known, not because of war but because the water is disappearing. I hope the image evokes empathy and awareness. I want viewers to connect emotionally – to see the climate emergency not as a distant headline, but to recognise the urgent need to protect natural resources and the cultures and communities that depend on them. This was a fleeting moment, entirely unplanned, yet it now speaks to so much. Seeing it enlarged today as a poster in underground stations across London, advertising the Wellcome Trust exhibition Thirst, is humbling. It shows the importance of staying open, of letting the story find you. Born: Lviv, Ukraine, 1981Trained: Master in Political Science, University of OttawaInfluences: Alec Soth, Hakim Belabbes, Carlos ReygadasHigh point: 'Becoming a National Geographic explorer, having my photo on the cover of Nat Geo magazine, and winning the World Press Photo prize.'Low point: 'At a time when I was experiencing financial hardship, a gallery in Marrakech with which I'd planned an exhibition let me down.'Top tip: 'Believe in yourself, do your research, understand your niche, carve out your own path.' The free exhibition Thirst: In Search of Freshwater is at the Wellcome Collection, London, until 1 February. See more images from Before It's Gone at

A sacred moment at a dried-up oasis: M'Hammed Kilito's best photograph
A sacred moment at a dried-up oasis: M'Hammed Kilito's best photograph

The Guardian

time7 days ago

  • The Guardian

A sacred moment at a dried-up oasis: M'Hammed Kilito's best photograph

I travelled to Merzouga in east Morocco three years ago, hoping to photograph some wall drawings and writings I had seen there earlier – markings that showed the distance from the village to Timbuktu, in Mali, by camel. But when I arrived, the markings had vanished. Faced with this absence, I found myself seeking a new story, something unplanned. Mustapha was my guide that day. At first, he took me along the typical tourist trails, which didn't speak to my photographic interests. Then he suggested we explore the sand dunes. Initially, I wasn't particularly interested in these either, but then we came across this old well. I set up my camera, a 1972 Hasselblad 500, and my tripod. As I started to photograph the well, Mustapha stepped forward, instinctively leaning in to look inside. I hadn't imagined him in the picture but he didn't pay attention to me. That spontaneous gesture – part ritual, part desperation – transformed the scene completely. It felt sacred, as though he were praying for the return of something essential: water. This unplanned moment encapsulates the core of my wider project, Before It's Gone: the fragility of ecosystems, the human search for survival, the quiet persistence of memory in the face of environmental loss. I began the project in 2018, driven by my growing awareness of how dramatically oasis environments were changing in Morocco. I started noticing patterns: rising temperatures, shrinking water sources, abandoned palm groves and increasing rural exodus. What was once a source of life and resilience for entire communities was slowly being erased. I felt an urgent need to document this transformation – not just ecologically but socially and culturally. Over the years, the project has taken me to dozens of oases and expanded to include Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Mauritania. It has unfolded through travel, extended conversations and long-term engagement with the people who live in these spaces. What drives me is the conviction that these are not just local stories – they are global warnings. The climate crisis is often framed in abstract or future terms. Through this work, I want to make it visible, human and grounded in the present. Including the human figure was essential. Oases are not just geographic features: they are homes, livelihoods and cultural reservoirs shaped over centuries. In this photograph, Mustapha embodies that deep connection. His gesture of looking into the well is both literal and symbolic – it speaks to dependence, resilience and vulnerability, but also to hope and remembrance. This reflects my work, which explores the complex relationship between people and their environments. Whether I'm documenting oases' decline, Moroccan youth, or the sociology of work and migration, I'm interested in how individuals navigate change. Water scarcity is no longer just an environmental issue. It's a humanitarian crisis, especially in regions such as the Sahara, where life has always depended on fragile water sources. I hope images like this can serve as visual testimonies – simple, powerful reminders of what is at stake. Photography has taught me to slow down and pay attention to people, landscapes and silence. This shot is a portrait of loss but also of quiet resistance. Communities are being forced to leave the only homes they've ever known, not because of war but because the water is disappearing. I hope the image evokes empathy and awareness. I want viewers to connect emotionally – to see the climate emergency not as a distant headline, but to recognise the urgent need to protect natural resources and the cultures and communities that depend on them. This was a fleeting moment, entirely unplanned, yet it now speaks to so much. Seeing it enlarged today as a poster in underground stations across London, advertising the Wellcome Trust exhibition Thirst, is humbling. It shows the importance of staying open, of letting the story find you. Born: Lviv, Ukraine, 1981Trained: Master in Political Science, University of OttawaInfluences: Alec Soth, Hakim Belabbes, Carlos ReygadasHigh point: 'Becoming a National Geographic explorer, having my photo on the cover of Nat Geo magazine, and winning the World Press Photo prize.'Low point: 'At a time when I was experiencing financial hardship, a gallery in Marrakech with which I'd planned an exhibition let me down.'Top tip: 'Believe in yourself, do your research, understand your niche, carve out your own path.' The free exhibition Thirst: In Search of Freshwater is at the Wellcome Collection, London, until 1 February. See more images from Before It's Gone at

Morocco Tours Agency Captures Surge in American Visitors with Immersive 2025 Travel Experiences
Morocco Tours Agency Captures Surge in American Visitors with Immersive 2025 Travel Experiences

Associated Press

time10-06-2025

  • Business
  • Associated Press

Morocco Tours Agency Captures Surge in American Visitors with Immersive 2025 Travel Experiences

Morocco Tours Agency, a boutique travel provider, reports a major increase in American travelers booking cultural and desert tours across Morocco in 2025, fueled by growing interest in authentic, locally guided experiences. Merzouga, Morocco, June 10, 2025 -- American travelers are once again turning their attention to one of North Africa's most enchanting destinations: Morocco. After years of postponed plans and shifting travel priorities, 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for international tourism, and Morocco is leading the charge, with a dramatic surge in visitor numbers and a renewed focus on authentic, culturally rich adventures. Riding this wave of momentum is Morocco Tours Agency, a boutique travel provider based in Merzouga that's quietly built a reputation as one of the most trusted and top-rated tour operators in the region. With more than 840 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor, Morocco Tours Agency is helping a new generation of U.S. travelers discover the heart of the country — from the winding alleys of Fes to the soaring dunes of the Sahara. 'Travel is personal again. Americans are looking for experiences that go deeper — that show them a country through the eyes of its people,' says Saïd Sahlaoui, the agency's founder. 'We design every itinerary with that goal in mind. Morocco isn't just a destination — it's a journey into culture, tradition, and raw natural beauty.' Morocco's Tourism Boom: More Than Just a Trend Morocco is one of the fastest-growing destinations for American tourists in 2025. In 2024, the country welcomed 17.4 million visitors, a 20% increase from the previous year. That momentum has only grown in 2025, fueled by improved flight access from U.S. cities, increased media spotlight (including Morocco's upcoming role as a host country for the 2030 FIFA World Cup), and a growing desire among travelers to step outside the usual European circuit. Airlines like Delta, United, and Royal Air Maroc have expanded direct service from New York, Boston, and Washington D.C., making Morocco more accessible than ever. For travelers weary of over-touristed spots in Europe, Morocco offers an exotic, yet welcoming alternative — with the added appeal of affordability, safety, and English-speaking guides. A Local Agency Making Global Impact While large international companies often dominate the tourism space, Morocco Tours Agency offers something different: deep local knowledge, handcrafted tours, and real cultural immersion. Operating since 2018, the company offers everything from short 3-day adventures to luxury private circuits, all with local guides, comfortable accommodations, and door-to-door service from cities like Marrakech, Fes, and Casablanca. Their goal? To make Morocco feel accessible and personal, no matter your travel style. Their packages are particularly popular with American families, couples, solo travelers, and student groups, especially those looking for: 'We've hosted travelers from all over the U.S. — New York to Texas to California,' says Sahlaoui. 'Many of them say the same thing: they came for the landscapes, but fell in love with the people and the culture.' Three Signature Experiences Americans Love Sahara Desert Adventure ( 3 Days – Marrakech to Merzouga ) This itinerary leads guests from the vibrant souks of Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains and into the heart of the Sahara. Highlights include camel treks at sunset, stargazing from traditional Berber desert camps, and visits to cinematic kasbahs like Ait Ben Haddou. Cultural Circuit ( 3 Days – Fes to Marrakech ) Connecting two of Morocco's most iconic cities, this route showcases lush valleys, cedar forests, and desert landscapes. Along the way, travelers enjoy immersive stops in small villages, scenic gorges, and the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Southern Morocco Experience ( 4 Days – Round Trip from Marrakech ) For travelers with extra time, this circular route explores southern Morocco's diverse terrain. From historic kasbahs to vast sandscapes, the tour offers a deeper look into Amazigh culture and Morocco's layered history. These itineraries are ideal for travelers looking to maximize their time while still experiencing the full spectrum of Morocco's rich geography and heritage — from palm-filled valleys and dramatic gorges to kasbahs, souks, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Why Morocco, Why Now? With most of the world reopened, American travelers are prioritizing destinations that offer cultural connection, natural wonder, and safety — without sacrificing comfort. Morocco fits that profile, offering: As Morocco invests in infrastructure and sustainable tourism ahead of the 2030 World Cup, the country is not only a hotspot for this year but a strategic travel choice for the coming decade. 5-Star Reputation and Real Reviews Unlike many generic tour operators, Morocco Tours Agency has earned a sterling reputation by focusing on real relationships and memorable moments. The company currently boasts: 'We love seeing families come back for a second tour or send their friends our way,' adds Sahlaoui. 'That trust — that's everything to us.' Building Trust, One Tour at a Time Morocco Tours Agency credits its growing international following to its emphasis on personalized service, local insight, and guest satisfaction. With licensed, multilingual guides, modern vehicles, and flexible itineraries, the company makes exploring Morocco both seamless and memorable. Whether planning a romantic escape, family vacation, or student expedition, Morocco Tours Agency offers a tailored, expertly guided way to explore the best of Morocco — comfortably and authentically. For more information or to start planning your journey, visit About the company: Morocco Tours Agency is a boutique travel company based in Merzouga, Morocco, specializing in private, guided travel across the country. With a focus on authenticity, cultural immersion, and personalized service, the agency designs tours that highlight the best of Morocco — from the Sahara Desert to imperial cities and mountain villages. Its experienced local guides and commitment to guest satisfaction have earned the company a 5-star reputation among travelers from around the world. Contact Info: Name: Saïd Sahlaoui Email: Send Email Organization: Morocco Tours Agency Address: Merzouga, Morocco. Phone: +212 651 141 942 (WhatsApp available) Website: Video URL: Release ID: 89161398 Should you identify any discrepancies, concerns, or inaccuracies in the content provided in this press release or require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our responsive team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions to resolve identified issues diligently or guiding you through the necessary steps for removal. Our dedication lies in providing accurate and reliable information.

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