business
Is the Moroccan Diaspora Being Silenced or Priced Out of Their Homeland?
As Millions of Moroccans Abroad Prepare for Summer Visits, Scrutiny Grows Over Rising Costs, Political Tensions, and Claims of Foreign Pressure
By El Mostafa Ouchen | Senior International Correspondent
July 28, 2025 | Rabat – Paris – Madrid
Every summer, the highways of Europe hum with Moroccan license plates. Families return from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and beyond, carrying gifts, stories, and a longing for home. Known as Operation Marhaba, this massive transcontinental migration symbolizes more than vacation — it is a yearly reaffirmation of identity, belonging, and familial bonds.
But in 2025, murmurs have grown louder: Are there coordinated efforts by foreign actors to discourage Moroccans abroad from returning home? From soaring ticket prices and political disputes to far-right rhetoric in Europe, many in the diaspora feel unseen, if not unwelcome.
A monthslong investigation into these claims reveals a nuanced truth. While there is no credible evidence of any coordinated third-party campaign to boycott Moroccan diaspora travel, a convergence of political frictions, economic pressures, and isolated policy decisions has cast a shadow over what should be a joyful annual tradition.
A Tradition Under Pressure
Morocco’s diaspora — over 5 million strong, primarily concentrated in France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium — contributes billions annually in remittances and plays a pivotal role in Morocco’s economy and diplomacy. In 2023 alone, over 3.5 million Moroccan expatriates traveled home during the summer season.
“It’s not just a visit. It’s part of our identity,” says Hafid El-Khatib, a Dutch-Moroccan father of three. “But every year, it’s getting harder — more expensive, more complicated.”
Airfare and Ferry Price Hikes: A Costly Homecoming
The most immediate challenge facing diaspora travelers is financial. Reports from Moroccan expatriates in Europe detail dramatic price increases in airfare and ferry services. Flights from Paris to Casablanca, once under €300 round trip, now frequently exceed €800 in peak season. Ferry companies like GNV and Naviera Armas are also under scrutiny for hiking prices without transparent justification.
“These aren’t luxury trips — they’re reunions with our families,” said Fatima Bensalem, a Moroccan teacher in Belgium. “When prices double in one year, it feels like we’re being priced out of our heritage.”
While no evidence suggests these price surges are politically motivated, the lack of regulation and limited competition has sparked accusations of exploitation, with some diaspora communities organizing boycott calls against specific ferry companies following customer mistreatment or safety concerns.
Political Tensions: Travel as a Diplomatic Pawn
On occasion, political disputes have directly impacted diaspora mobility. In 2021, a diplomatic spat between Rabat and Madrid saw Morocco suspend transit via Spanish ports, forcing travelers to reroute through France or Italy. The move angered Moroccan families, who endured longer travel times and higher costs.
Spain’s far-right VOX party exacerbated tensions by calling for the closure of borders to Moroccan-origin travelers, citing immigration concerns. Though never enacted, the statement ignited widespread backlash and fear.
“It’s dangerous when travel — a fundamental right — is politicized,” warned Dr. Salim Hamidi, a migration researcher in Barcelona. “Such rhetoric feeds mistrust and alienates communities.”
Similarly, France’s temporary visa restrictions on Moroccans in 2021-22, imposed due to disputes over deportation cooperation, left many Moroccan-French families stranded or delayed.
These episodes were ultimately resolved diplomatically, but they left a lasting impression — that diaspora rights can be vulnerable to foreign policy bargaining.
Security and Legal Risks: Chilling Effects on Travel
Though rare, cases of surveillance or detentions of outspoken Moroccan critics living abroad have created anxiety. Some dual nationals, particularly activists linked to the Hirak Rif movement, report self-imposed travel bans, fearing reprisal or unjust detention.
“We’re not telling people not to visit Morocco,” said Nadia Ziane, a Paris-based human rights advocate. “But they must be aware — especially those who’ve criticized the regime publicly.”
While these cases don’t reflect a systemic policy, they contribute to a climate of caution.
Welfare Restrictions and Bureaucracy: Invisible Barriers
European governments, particularly in Spain, have introduced stricter enforcement of travel-related welfare regulations. A recent case involved a jobless Moroccan-Spanish dual citizen being fined €12,000 for taking an undeclared trip to Morocco while receiving unemployment benefits.
Other countries monitor social media or passport records to verify that beneficiaries aren’t misusing their entitlements. These policies are not ethnically targeted, but disproportionately impact diaspora members, especially low-income retirees who spend extended periods in Morocco.
Are There Active Boycott Campaigns?
Contrary to some online claims, there is no verified campaign by foreign governments, NGOs, or international media calling for a general boycott of Moroccan travel.
- Some Western Sahara activists have urged tourist boycotts of Morocco over human rights issues, but these are limited in scope and rarely directed at diaspora.
- Small-scale boycotts, like that against Naviera Armas after the disappearance of a Moroccan youth on board, reflect consumer activism, not geopolitical agendas.
Morocco’s Official Response
Moroccan authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of diaspora engagement, often stepping in to mediate or respond to crises. King Mohammed VI has personally ordered fare reductions and logistical support for Operation Marhaba. When visa restrictions arose in France, Morocco successfully negotiated their reversal.
“Our citizens abroad are not tourists — they are family,” said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We will always defend their rights to return.”
Conclusion: A Complex Landscape, Not a Conspiracy
Despite concerns and frustrations, the investigation reveals no coordinated third-party effort to undermine Moroccan diaspora travel. Instead, diaspora mobility is shaped by a complex mix of economic, political, and logistical factors — some temporary, others structural.
Moroccan expatriates continue to return in large numbers. But their voices — calling for fairness, dignity, and affordability — are becoming louder. As the world becomes more connected, so too must the systems that support the ties between homeland and diaspora.