I visited Morocco – that’s why I will NEVER return

Despite its luxury hotels, vibrant cities and bustling marketplaces, Morocco seems a polarizing country for tourists to visit, with some claiming they would never return.

While it is a bucket list holiday destination for many, certain TikTok and YouTube users are taking to the platforms to keep their followers away from visiting Morocco.

Expensive scams, intimidating interactions and “exhaustive” impersonations are among the reasons why some social media users claim they have no plans to return to the North African country.

TikToker Sophie Milner went on holiday to Marrakech earlier this year after having ‘amazing memories’ of two previous trips to the city. However, she said her last vacation put her off ever visiting again.

Speak to her 40,000 TikTok followersshe claimed she received the “worst customer service” 90 percent of the time she was there.

TikToker Sophie Milner (pictured left) claimed she received the “worst customer service” 90 percent of the time she was in Marrakech. Another TikToker, who goes by the username ‘eight-jelly-eight’ (pictured right), said she would not return to Morocco alone

She said: ‘We showed up [a restaurant] I booked and they claimed I didn’t get a booking [and] tried to get rid of us. I had to show the confirmation email. So they made us sit at dirty tables, didn’t give us menus, kissed their teeth at us, gave us attitude…’

The TikToker, who had previously worked as a waitress for eight years, claimed she had a similarly negative experience at most of the restaurants they ate at during their nearly two-week trip.

However, there were also positives to the trip. She said some of the restaurants they went to were “incredible” and the staff at one of the hotels they stayed at were “amazing.” Sophie added: ‘There were some great taxi drivers who were so welcoming and friendly.’

Sophie told her followers: ‘You will always experience cultural differences when you go somewhere new and that is… one of the reasons why I love travelling.’ But she concluded: “Generally, people [in Marrakech] were so, so rude. I’ve never experienced anything like this before.’ She added that she was “stunned and surprised” by the experience.

Another TikToker, who goes by the username ‘eight-jelly-eight’, said she would not return to Morocco alone.

While the American TikToker said she “loved” visiting Marrakech with eight of her friends, she said: “The chatting was exhausting at one point.”

To share with her 71,000 followersshe continued, “As a group of nine American black women, who speak English [and] walking around we were something of a spectacle. So if I was with a group of nine people and I was constantly being watched and constantly being called, I can’t imagine what would happen if I traveled alone.’

She added that this was just her experience of the country, and it could be different for other travelers. Looking at the positives, the TikToker noted that Moroccan tour companies are “amazing,” with her and her friends enjoying a day of riding all-terrain vehicles in the desert.

Experienced travel vlogger Ben Frier, who goes by the username Backpacker Benalso said he would never return to the country after encountering “ruthless” scammers, he explained in a Youtube videoruined most of his trip.

Ben started by sharing his positive experiences and staying in very affordable and nice hotels, with hotels in the capital Rabat costing just £45 per night. Speaking to his 243,000 subscribers, Ben said: ‘Generally people in Morocco are very friendly, especially here in Rabat and Chefchaouen.’

Morocco expects to surpass pre-pandemic tourism levels and welcome 13 million people to the country by the end of the year. Above is Chefchaouen, where a YouTuber said he found people “very friendly.”

However, he said these positive experiences were “spoiled” by encounters with “aggressive” scammers and scammers. Ben, who has traveled to more than 80 countries, said Morocco has one of the highest numbers of scammers he has ever encountered and “it ruins the whole experience.”

He said: ‘We’ve had three or four times where locals tried to fight me because we said no to what they had to offer.’

Ben told his followers to be ‘careful’ when taking photos and videos as scammers could demand money from them.

The Plymouth resident said he always requires taxi drivers to use a meter to avoid overpaying. He also advised looking out for restaurants that hand out menus on the street with one price, but then charge you double after you eat there.

Since Ben’s video was posted, it has been viewed 127,600 times and generated thousands of comments from conflicted travelers. One user commented: ‘As a Moroccan, I think it’s time for international tourists to share this kind of experience. The Moroccan government prides itself on being a tourist country, but still does not take tough enough action against scammers. Hopefully things will change!’

Meanwhile, countless other social media users have been enjoying their time in Morocco, such as TikToker Kemoy Martinwho said he loved the country so much he “never wanted to leave,” and user ‘Meisha’who called her trip there “the vacation of dreams.”

And tourists still travel there in droves. Between January and August, Morocco welcomed 10.2 million travelers, while the country could surpass the pre-pandemic level of 13 million this year, the tourism ministry said.

Following a devastating earthquake in Morocco last month that killed nearly 3,000 people, many TikTokers have also urged tourists to visit the country.

One TikToker said: ‘It is important to emphasize that Morocco remains a safe and welcoming destination.

‘We urge you not to cancel your trips and continue exploring this beautiful country.’

In addition, historic sites in Marrakech, including Bahia Palace, Badi Palace and Saadian Tombs, have now reopened to tourists.