With all the optimism in the world, everyone in Morocco was hoping for the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to be eased last week. As surf camp owners, we had our fingers crossed that the state of emergency would be lifted for international travel. But on June 9, the Moroccan government announced that the State of Emergency would be extended to July 10.
As frustrating of an announcement as this was, we at Local Surf Maroc understand the necessity to keep not only ourselves, but our communities safe during a pandemic. So while international travel to Morocco remains unavailable presently, domestic restrictions are beginning to ease and so long as the coronavirus cases remain stable, lifting restrictions will continue in phases.
Over the coming weeks, we hope to welcome domestic tourism as we often have during summer months, before the surf season kicks off in September. As we work through the next month without international tourism available to us, we will continue to be optimistic and hope that soon we can welcome all over friends back through our doors, along with new guests.
Anchor Point, Taghazout, Morocco Feb 2020
The Moroccan government is devising strategies to revive tourism, but if you feel like you’re feeling restless for that Moroccan surf adventure, at Local Surf Maroc we came up with a list of 8 ways you can support your favourite surf camp in the mean time.
1. Postpone, don’t cancel
Surf camps around the world have been asking this of their guests and patrons since lockdowns began. As uncertainty in Moroccan remains, most surf camps and holiday providers have revamped their Terms & Conditions with flexible cancellation conditions whereby the fee to change dates is waived. If your circumstances allow to not ask for a refund, and commit to your holiday in the future, this could be a lifeline for many camps struggling to cover their overheads.
2. Pay a deposit
Postponing ensures that a surf camp can pay it’s overhead and employees in the future, paying a new deposit now ensures that a surf camp will be able to continue to operate from that month onwards. Local Surf Maroc has flexible deposit options, allowing any guest booking a surf holiday to rebook up to 18 months later.
3. Buy gift cards
Gift cards have always been a great way to give gifts, and lockdown it’s been the handiest way to celebrate that social distancing birthday or say thank you to a key worker during the COVID-19 pandemic. With multiple denominations and an 18 month expiry from purchase, gift cards are a flexible and an easy way to support a surf camp with their immediate overhead.
4. Donate
Last year you enjoyed your Moroccan surf experience so much that you plan on going back, but just not this year. This year you had planned, or are still planning, on checking off the next item on your bucket list. But you’d hate to see your favourite surf camp have to shut down because of the coronavirus, so what can you do? A donation of any amount is more than a generous show of support. Contact surf camps directly on to find out how best to send a donation.
5. Leave a good review
According to TripAdvisor, travellers are doing more research before booking their post-pandemic holiday. Hygiene, service, and value for money are things people are looking for, and giving an honest review about your favourite surf camp, particularly mentioning those topics, will help increase exposure and reassure potential new guests to a surf camp that they are making the right decision. Trusted sites like TripAdvisor and Google are the first stop for many researchers, and best of all, this show of support is at no extra cost to yourself!
6. Shout out on your socials
Just like leaving a good review, sharing content online across various platforms and networks will help provide exposure for your favourite surf camp. During lockdown many surf camps had to cut services and stop outsourcing social media and advertising to cover more pressing overhead like paying staff. With little or no budget to advertise any shout out is a shout of support.
7. Exchange your skills
With the popularity of Adventure Collective, WorkAway, and other communities exchanging skills for experience, exchanging a much needed skill or expertise in exchange for a discount or free surf experience is a unique way to support your a Moroccan surf camp. Not all surf camps will be in the same boat to provide you with a freebie, or the same level of freebie, so it’s up to you what you can offer.
8. If you can’t tip, don’t haggle
Tipping is cultural, and how much and how often is for another time. But if you’re in a position to tip your Moroccan surf camp because you’ve had an exceptional time, there’s nothing that takes a surf instructor more by surprise.
Haggling is also part of Morocco’s market culture. Rapid negotiations can happen over anything from the price of oranges to the price of a rug. Everyone wants to get the best deal and secure the best treasure. One thing to keep in mind is that Morocco does not have the same social net European countries benefit from in times of crisis, so any Moroccan holiday you end up booking will be a lifeline for many surf camps.
Of course, we at Local Surf Maroc understand that the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has hit everyone hard. Booking holidays or buying gifts may be out of reach for many, but we see Europe and many other countries easing out of lockdown as a positive sign.
Local Surf Maroc and it’s team has been very grateful for all the support it has received during the pandemic, and any other support it has been given we have appreciated greatly. We’re keeping our surf boards waxed and our spirits stoked with good vibes that it won’t be much longer until Morocco opens it’s borders and we’re all back in the water.
Inshallah.