Luxury properties in Morocco’s key incentive destination are up and running.
Although close to the epicenter of Morocco’s deadly earthquake in the high Atlas Mountains, Marrakech (also known as Marrakesh) has remained relatively unscathed. Most of the damage was to historic buildings in the old town district called the medina—a Unesco world heritage site in the oldest part of the city. Most hotels, both in the medina and in the modern Gueliz district, stayed intact. However, luxury hotels located outside of the city in the Atlas Mountains, such as the Virgin Limited Edition property Kasbat Tamadot, were damaged from the earthquake and forced to temporarily close.
In Marrakech, public transportation has resumed and is running normally. Airports are open and flights are operating as usual. Hotels, restaurants and museums have reopened, as have many souks (marketplace stalls) in the old town. “Any business that is able will be back open this week,” said Vanessa Branson, co-owner of luxury hotel El Fenn, on CNN. “Most hotels are open, the restaurants are open and most of the medina’s streets are accessible, having been swiftly cleared of debris.”
There are no apparent red flags for planners with upcoming incentive programs in the city of Marrakech. “Marrakech’s high season is beginning, almost as if nothing had happened,” said on-the-ground Morocco correspondent Alexandre Aublanc in the French daily newspaper Le Monde. “Two days after the magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the city and surrounding region, the terraces were packed, tourists were riding the city’s signature green horse-drawn carriages and the major hotels were virtually fully booked.”
Luxury Hotels Weigh In
Marrakech’s luxury hotels have been publishing assurances on websites and social media that their staff, guests and properties are safe and that they are open and eager for business. The iconic La Mamounia Marrakech posted on its website: “We would like to reassure you that our beloved Mamounia and all our colleagues and their families are safe after the recent earthquake in Marrakech and surroundings. We’re truly grateful for the outpouring of support and kind messages we’ve received. Your words have touched our hearts and strengthened our spirits; thank you for being with us during this challenging time. We are focused on assisting our beloved city and our community.”
Other luxury properties that have weighed in with assurances include the Mandarin Oriental Marrakech, L’Hotel Marrakech, Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, The Oberoi Marrakech, and Nobu Hotel Marrakech. All reported that their employees and guests remained safe, and that they were open for business as usual. Many are helping with disaster relief.
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