Tourism in Western Sahara rose sharply as Morocco expanded flights, resorts and infrastructure projects across the disputed territory.
Moroccan tourism data showed visitor numbers increased from 490,297 in 2019 to 743,133 in 2025, a rise of more than 50%.
The growth centred on Dakhla, a coastal city in Western Sahara that Morocco promotes as part of its “southern provinces.”
Airlines including Ryanair, Transavia France and Royal Air Maroc now operate direct routes from Madrid, Paris and the Canary Islands.
The United Nations still classifies Western Sahara as a “non-self-governing territory.” Morocco controls about 80% of the area, while the Polisario Front seeks independence for the Sahrawi people.
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Rights groups and legal experts told the BBC that marketing the territory as part of Morocco raised concerns under international law and could normalise Moroccan control over the region.
Tourists arriving in Dakhla receive Moroccan passport stamps and see Moroccan flags across the city, according to travellers interviewed by the BBC.
