Summer Greed in Ourika: 100 Dirhams to Sit by the River Sparks Outrage Among Moroccans

With the arrival of summer and rising temperatures, thousands of Moroccans and tourists head towards natural areas in search of a cool breeze and refreshing water. Ourika Valley stands at the top of these favorite tourist destinations on the outskirts of Marrakech. However, the splendor of the place has collided this season with a painful material reality, as the riverbanks have turned into exploited spaces to impose exorbitant prices, sparking a widespread wave of anger on social media platforms.

Random Exploitation and Exorbitant Pricing for Space Rentals

Visitors to the region complained of commercial practices they described as unjust, where fees reaching 100 dirhams are imposed just for sitting on plastic chairs and tables placed along the riverbanks. Citizens expressed their intense dissatisfaction with this material exploitation imposed on families who only aspire to spend quality time in the heart of nature without excessive financial burdens.

The matter did not stop at renting spaces but extended to meals and drinks. Affected visitors pointed out that the price of a modest “tajine” containing no more than a quarter kilogram of meat reached about 100 dirhams, not to mention the inflated prices for soft drinks. Additionally, parking fees for motorcycles and cars, reaching 10 dirhams, raised burning questions about the beneficiaries and the widespread chaos in the informal parking lots.

Who Protects the Public Water Domain in Ourika?

These violations raised fundamental questions among activists and visitors regarding the legality of these practices, especially after reports that some vacationers were prevented from approaching the river water or swimming in it unless they paid for the seating. This was considered by observers as a flagrant infringement on the rights of citizens to access natural spaces.

In this context, voices have risen demanding that local, provincial, and elected authorities assume their historical and legal responsibilities. It should be noted that the course of the Ourika Valley and its lands fall under the Public Water Domain, which is public state property that is non-transferable and not subject to prescription. If it is exploited temporarily, it must be through official legal licenses granted by the competent authorities, led by the Tensift Hydraulic Basin Agency, and according to a strict book of specifications that must be rigorously monitored to protect the purchasing power of citizens and the image of mountain tourism in Morocco.