Morocco's Atlantic coast is increasingly known as a world-class surfing destination - Photo: CNN
For decades, fishing has been a major industry in Essaouira, on Morocco’s west coast. As the fish stocks have dwindled, locals have turned their attention to the more lucrative industry of surf tourism.
Abdullah Aitdir is one of those who has successfully capitalized on this business opportunity. His father owned a grocery store in a village near Taghazout, and Aitdir has turned the grocery store into a surfing school.
“Surfing has a lot of benefits,” he says. In recent years he has seen a more organized and positive trend in the surfing industry.
“It used to be chaotic,” Aitdir said. “Everyone was involved in surf tourism without paying any taxes, without any rules. But now the industry is much more regulated.”
Morocco has more than 300 sunny days a year and with 1,800km of coastline, the surfing tourism industry is very profitable for this country.
Come and experience why Morocco is becoming a world surfing hotspot.
Fishing used to play a key role in the Moroccan economy - Photo: CNN
The fishing industry has been replaced by the surfing industry in many parts of the kingdom - Photo: CNN
Windy Essaouira is the ideal location for this water sport - Photo: CNN
Many regulations have now been established at surfing destinations in Morocco - Photo: CNN
The famous surfing destination Essaouira is also where the Gnaoua world music festival took place - Photo: CNN
Moroccan cavalrymen ride horses along Essaouira beach at the Gnaoua world music festival - Photo: CNN
