Question 1

Should I cancel my trip to Morocco?

Accepted Answer

Michael Diamond, a travel expert who focuses on Morocco and who arrived in the city shortly after the earthquake, said Monday that “things are generally okay” in Marrakesh and “people are going about their lives.” Tours and museum visits, he said, have continued, though people remain “cognizant that an hour away, people are fighting for their lives.” “The mood in Morocco, in Marrakesh, is picking up the pieces, mourning, [and] trying to support their official days of mourning [declared by the Moroccan government] and rescue effort,” Diamond said. Karim Fehry Fassy, the Marrakesh-based founder of the Morocco travel company Alizes Private, sent out an email Sunday to concerned clients with a clear message: Please don’t cancel future trips. He assured travelers that most of Marrakesh has been spared from the disaster, and that airports, hotels, roads and highways are operational. Fassy concluded the email, “Your support, whether through donations or tourism, will help us rebuild and restore the beautiful High Atlas Mountains and contribute to the recovery of this remarkable region.” Tim Williamson, customer director of the company Responsible Travel has a similar message. “It’s natural that some holidaymakers due to visit Morocco might be rethinking their plans, but it’s important to note that many parts of the country, including Marrakesh, are still perfectly safe for travel,” Williamson said in an email. “Many people in places less affected by the earthquake are still dependent on tourism — and your visit to them is unlikely to hamper any ongoing relief efforts.” The U.S. Embassy in Morocco wrote in a safety advisory last week that it is working to monitor the recent earthquake closely and has been in touch with local authorities since last week’s disaster. It noted that local resources in affected areas may be limited, including hospitals in Marrakesh, transportation services, airports and law enforcement. The embassy recommends that U.S. citizens in affected areas keep in touch with local authorities, avoid areas that were greatly impacted and stay in-tune with law enforcement regarding any road closures or traffic disruptions. “We strongly encourage U.S. citizens in affected areas who are safe to monitor local news and to contact their loved ones directly and/or update their status on social media,” the embassy wrote.

Question 2

What historic sites were damaged?

Accepted Answer

One UNESCO World Heritage site that faced severe damage was Marrakesh’s vibrant old city, the Medina, which is located roughly 45 miles northeast of the earthquake’s epicenter. The site, which draws millions of tourists every year, saw damaged walls and crumbed areas that have stood tall since the early 12th century. Several videos posted to social media showed Kutubiyya Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakesh, shaking as the earthquake droned on. CNN reported it is still intact. Gina Porter, a travel adviser with GG Luxury Travel, was in the old city of Marrakesh when the earthquake started. “Some people are sleeping in the parks, still scared to return to their homes,” Porter said via email. “But most everything is open. Hotels are operating. It is safe to be in Morocco now.”

Question 3

Are tours still operating?

Accepted Answer

Travelers should check with their tour companies for information specific to their booked trips. Nicole Powell, a spokeswoman for Intrepid Travel, says that according to the company’s teams on the ground, Morocco is safe and open for travel. Still, the company canceled all trips through Wednesday. Customers on those trips were contacted for rescheduling or refunds. Those with bookings between Wednesday and Sunday will also have the option to cancel and receive a credit for a future booking. The majority of Intrepid’s Morocco trips will resume Thursday, although some have itinerary changes; namely, they’ll completely avoid the Atlas Mountains and greatly reduce time in Marrakesh. Williamson said that some small group operators have canceled trips this week and that Responsible Travel has local partners in the High Atlas Mountains that have been affected with road blocks and rescue efforts. “But in many places, much of normal life is resuming. So lots of trips are still going ahead,” he said. Ibrahim Sekayi, a travel Agent with Dav Safaris, says trips taking place through December 2023 are being rescheduled. Clients who are not interested in rescheduling are being refunded.

Question 4

Are flights operating as normal?

Accepted Answer

Several airlines are lifting fees for those who have planned flights or trips into Morocco, specifically affected areas. The U.S. Embassy in Morocco said that local airports are currently in operation but recommends contacting airlines directly about potential delays or cancellations. Any U.S. citizen who wishes to depart Morocco should access local transportation options. Royal Air Maroc will rebook tickets for flights arriving to or leaving from the cities of Marrakesh and Agadir. If customers have a travel date until Sept. 23, they can make a free change to and from the same destinations for trips within 15 days following their initial flight date. Any change request must be sent to the original vendor by Sept. 17. British Airways is continuing to operate and has also changed the aircraft type for flights to Marrakesh over the past few days to make more seats available. Customers booking through the British Airways Holidays platform can change travel dates, or choose a different destination, with no additional fees. “The welfare of our customers is our priority, and we have contacted our British Airways Holidays customers in Morocco to check that they’re safe. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely, and customers due to travel to or from Marrakesh in the next two weeks can change their dates free of charge if they wish,” the airline said in a statement. Turkish Airlines passengers, or those flying through AnadoluJet, will be permitted to make free reservation changes if they are registered for Casablanca and Marrakesh flights between Sept. 9 and Sept. 23, as long as they were issued before Sept. 8. Passengers have until Sept. 23 to request changes. The airline said in a statement that passengers can receive refunds if they have unused tickets, or partially used tickets for which the trip has not been completed. Those who have booked through the airline can extend their trips until Oct. 30.

Question 5

How can I help?

Accepted Answer

Various national and international nonprofit organizations have also posted fundraisers to raise money for those affected in Morocco. The Post has a list of relief efforts in need of donations here. The Intrepid Foundation, the nonprofit entity for Intrepid Travel, has raised $205,160 for emergency relief and support for those affected by the earthquake and has said it will match donations up to $100,000, according to its social media account.

Question 6

Does travel insurance cover a natural disaster?

Accepted Answer

John Rose, chief risk and security officer at ALTOUR, says travel insurance coverage will depend on what policy you purchased, but most policies should help with assistance if your trip must be altered. “Not all, but most have coverage for situations like this,” Rose said. “The insurance company might actually help with your re-accommodations, your travel home.” Audrey Kennedy of On The Map Travel says most of the plans her clients use would cover them if the earthquake made parts of their trip “uninhabitable or inaccessible,” as long as they’d purchased their plan before the earthquake occurred. Travelers should also check with their airlines, hotels and tour operators to see what travel companies are offering in terms of cancellations, rescheduling and potential refunds. Unless you’ve purchased a Cancel for Any Reason benefit, you can’t cancel your trip and expect money back if your itinerary wasn’t directly impacted (your hotel was shut down, your flight canceled, etc.). If you do have CFAR, you can cancel at least 48 hours before your departure and receive 50 percent to 75 percent of prepaid and nonrefundable expenses. But Rose suggests tweaking your trip over canceling. “Going back to Morocco supports them. … Tourism is a big part of their GDP,” he said. “So if you go to Casablanca and have a great vacation — that goes back into the Moroccan economy and helps with this recovery.”

Traveling to Morocco? What to know about earthquake’s impact.