With the increase in international travel, there have been warnings about situations where cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings between visitors and local communities. According to the newspaper, Merce Molinas, a Spanish influencer who was on vacation in Morocco, has been warning tourists to be cautious when taking photos in public spaces, especially in markets, after having experienced a tense situation in which she was aggressively confronted.
Among the various episodes she shared on social media, the Spanish tourist highlighted a situation she experienced in an open-air market, where she was approached in a hostile manner when trying to capture an image.
She explained that she was with a friend looking at a store decorated with fabrics and wool hanging from the ceiling when, without warning, a man appeared and questioned them with the question: “Do you want problems, do you want problems?”, she said, quoted by the same publication. Despite explaining that they just wanted to photograph the ceiling, the episode left them both very uncomfortable.
According to her, she had already been advised to be careful when taking photos in public places, especially if the image includes people, even if unintentionally. The advice he gives is straightforward: in Morocco, photography must be done with discretion and respect for residents, avoiding capturing faces without authorization.
Tourist growth
In 2024, Morocco established itself as the main tourist destination on the African continent, surpassing Egypt in the number of visitors. That year, the country registered 28.3 million overnight stays and received around two million Spanish tourists, according to data released by the international press.
The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism’s growing focus, especially on the Portuguese, French and Spanish markets, has reinforced the appeal of a destination known for its traditions, cultural richness and proximity to Europe.
Although only 15 kilometers separate the Moroccan coast from the Iberian Peninsula, many visitors continue to be surprised by some social norms and local customs.
That’s what happened to this Spanish content creator who, after experiencing this tense situation during her trip, decided to warn tourists about certain aspects to take into consideration before choosing Morocco as a holiday destination.
Useful tips for those going to Morocco
This Spanish influencer also shared some practical recommendations for those planning to visit the country during the summer.
The first is to dispel the idea that all women need to be fully covered. “No, it is not mandatory. If you go to a mosque, you must cover your shoulders, but, in general, you can wear light and loose clothing, especially with the heat in the country”, he stated, cited by the same source.
According to El Universo, other advice includes avoiding haggling too insistently, taking physical cash (as many establishments do not accept cards) and not forgetting health insurance. “Everyone gets sick to their stomachs around here,” he wrote, recommending being careful with your diet and paying special attention to water.
With the increase in European tourism in this North African destination, reports of travelers returning with suggestions to make their holidays safer and more peaceful are multiplying. Moroccan authorities continue to reinforce awareness campaigns to promote tourism that respects local customs.
As a curiosity, it is worth highlighting that distrust towards photographs in Morocco has historical roots, being associated with periods in which capturing images was seen as a sensitive issue in terms of security.
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