Earthquake in Morocco: French tour operators call for ‘commercial flexibility’

The deadly earthquake in Morocco will also have economic consequences. This Saturday, the union of the main French tour operators (Seto) called for “commercial flexibility”.

Until Monday, Sept. 11, “Seto recommends providing maximum commercial flexibility for customers who do not wish to move, given the local situation,” he said in a press release. Before reminding: “If it is possible to offer deferments and/or loans, clients have the right to refuse them. » The union also stresses that its recommendations will be updated “no later than” on Monday depending on how the situation develops.

Air France takes ‘commercial measures’

For its part, Air France said on Saturday that it had introduced “commercial measures” for its customers with a flight scheduled from or to Morocco “in the coming days,” allowing them to change or postpone their trip “at no cost.” . It indicated that all its flights to and from Morocco (Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat) were “operating normally.”

“Together with the French and Moroccan authorities, Air France will examine in the coming days the need to add additional flights or use larger capacity aircraft on its routes between France and Morocco,” the company added.

“All hotel and tourism infrastructure is functioning”

Customers currently staying in hotels in Marrakech “are not affected, as far as we know,” said Seto, which represents about 70 of France’s largest tour operators. It clarifies that “all hotel and tourism infrastructure is operational,” but “excursion arrangements” can be made if necessary. When asked by AFP, he did not immediately say how many French tourists were at the site.

According to the American Geophysical Institute (USGS), an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 was recorded at 23:11 local time. According to the Moroccan Center for Scientific and Technical Research (CNRST), the epicenter of the earthquake was in Al-Haouz province, southwest of Marrakech, a popular destination for foreign tourists. According to the latest data, more than a thousand people died as a result of a powerful earthquake that occurred in Morocco last night.