In March, I received an intriguing email from Ryanair, the Irish airline, inviting me to embark on my "next Moroccan adventure". The prospect of visiting Dakhla, a picturesque city nestled along a windswept peninsula where the vast Sahara Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, was undeniably appealing. To reach this idyllic destination, I would first need to travel to Madrid, from where return flights to Dakhla are available for as low as €30 ($35). The allure of Dakhla is further enhanced by a variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget-friendly hostels to newly established luxury resorts, all promoting the region as Morocco's best-kept secret.
However, this enticing image of Dakhla is overshadowed by the complex reality that visitors encounter. The city is situated in Western Sahara, a territory embroiled in one of the world’s longest-standing territorial disputes. The United Nations classifies this region as a "non-self-governing territory", indicating that its local population lacks the ability to self-govern. Approximately 80% of Western Sahara is currently administered by Morocco, which claims the territory as part of its sovereign land, referring to it as its "southern provinces". The UN has long advocated for a resolution to this decades-old dispute, including the possibility of a referendum, yet the indigenous Sahrawi people have never been afforded the opportunity to vote on their future.
The implications of this situation raise significant concerns from an international law standpoint, particularly regarding the portrayal of Western Sahara in tourism marketing. Rights organizations and legal experts have voiced their apprehensions to the BBC, emphasizing that labeling the territory as part of Morocco not only misleads travelers but also legitimizes Morocco's ongoing occupation. Despite these concerns, tourism in the Moroccan-controlled portion of Western Sahara has surged, with visitor numbers increasing more than 50% over the past seven years, according to data from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism. This substantial rise in tourism can be attributed to enhanced air connections, with various airlines such as Ryanair, Transavia France, and Binter Canarias establishing direct flights from major European cities.
Tom Ruck, a tourist from the UK who recently traveled to Dakhla, described the burgeoning resort development in the area, noting that while many new facilities are emerging, they often remain sparsely populated. His experience underscored the feeling that Dakhla is still in the nascent stages of its tourism journey. Ruck mentioned that the Moroccan flag was prominently displayed throughout the city, aligning with the Moroccan government’s extensive investments aimed at promoting tourism in Western Sahara. Notably, both Ryanair and Transavia France categorize their flights to Dakhla as journeys to Morocco, a designation challenged by campaigners who argue that such branding distorts international law and public comprehension.
Airlines and travel booking platforms are increasingly scrutinized for their role in this complex situation. Notably, while Binter Canarias refers to the region as Western Sahara, major international booking sites like Expedia, Booking.com, and Trivago label accommodations in the area as located in Morocco. A spokesperson from Booking.com stated that they strive to provide travelers with comprehensive information, advising them to check their government's travel advisories. Dr. Andrea Maria Pelliconi, an expert in international human rights law, argues that there is a pressing need for airlines and booking agencies to differentiate Western Sahara from Morocco, as failure to do so could result in legal repercussions related to international law and consumer rights.
Despite increasing pressure from advocacy groups, changes in the travel industry have been slow. Last year, Airbnb made the decision to stop categorizing listings in Western Sahara as Moroccan, reflecting a growing awareness of the complexities surrounding the territory. Historically, Western Sahara was a Spanish colony until 1976, when Morocco claimed it following Spain's withdrawal. This led to a protracted conflict with the Sahrawi independence movement, represented by the Polisario Front, which demanded self-determination for the region's indigenous population. A ceasefire in 1991, brokered by the UN, included plans for a referendum that has yet to materialize, leaving the Polisario Front in control of a narrow eastern strip of land.
As tourism continues to develop in Dakhla, the Polisario Front's representative to the UK and Ireland, Sidi Breika, expressed concern that such growth serves to validate Morocco's claims over the territory. He emphasized that many tourists remain unaware of the ongoing crisis and the implications of their travel decisions, reiterating that all activities undertaken in the region under illegal occupation violate the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination, a right recognized by the UN. The international community remains divided on the issue, with the recent UN Security Council resolution advocating for Morocco's plan for autonomy in Western Sahara, a proposal that the Polisario Front staunchly opposes. Breika highlighted that despite Morocco's investments in tourism, they do not negate the Sahrawi people's fundamental rights to determine their own future.
As reported by bbc.com.
