Morocco Promotes Tourism to Western Sahara as Visitor Numbers Rise

Visitor numbers to the Morocco-controlled portion of Western Sahara rose from 490,297 in 2019 to 743,133 in 2025, according to data from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism. The increase coincides with new direct flights. Ryanair, Transavia France and Binter Canarias now serve Dakhla from Madrid, Paris and the Canary Islands, while Royal Air Maroc also operates routes to the territory.

Binter Canarias lists the destinations as Western Sahara. com and Trivago list hotels in the territory under Morocco. com spokesperson said the company adds conflict-related information and directs users to government travel advisories.

Western Sahara has been under Moroccan administration since 1975. The United Nations classifies it as a non-self-governing territory and has called for a referendum on self-determination that has not occurred. The Polisario Front controls a narrow eastern strip and rejects Morocco's autonomy proposal.

Its UK and Ireland representative, Sidi Breika, said tourism projects violate the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination. Campaign group Western Sahara Resource Watch and University of Southampton law lecturer Andrea Maria Pelliconi have stated that marketing the territory as Moroccan raises questions under international law.

In October the UN Security Council extended the peacekeeping mission for 12 months and endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan as the basis for future talks.