What's Going on in Morocco Right Now: Travel Updates from Marrakech

You can also find the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here:
 
"What's Going on in Morocco Right Now: Travel Updates from Marrakech"

Learn about the latest goings-on in Morocco, direct from the source: Azdean shares with us what tourism is like right now in Marrakech and beyond, as he calls in direct from the red city. 

Our conversation today includes a summary of a group tour from Casablanca to Fez, driving down to Merzouga desert, through Dadès Valley and over the mountains to Marrakech. Along the way, the group stopped at a unique and secret cave dwelling, still inhabited, although at least a little modernized! 

And a look at how to make dietary requests and come prepared when you travel here. Remember, on a tour your tour director will help make sure that ingredients and special supplies are accounted for, since Merzouga and the villages along the way are certainly quite isolated. Which is of course part of the attraction!

Azdean is there, on the ground as the African Cup completes its setup: there are football fans everywhere, and media from around the world there to cover the event. 

As we enter 2026, we look at how busy the country expects to be, and why it may in fact be the best time to visit, because it's only going to get busier as the football World Cup approaches, and even more attention is focused on Morocco. Things are busy, but you can still get in before the crowds get even heavier.

Azdean even took a direct flight from Atlanta to Marrakech, thanks to the new service from Delta Airlines. With multiple options from the US and Canada to Casablanca and/or Marrakech, travel to Morocco is becoming even easier.

This is a special episode for us: although we've done some extra bonus episodes and live q&a replays, we consider this one to be our official 100th episode! Thank you to our wonderful listeners and viewers who have been there on this nearly four year journey, we're proud to be the trailblazing podcast for travel in Morocco, and are excited for more great topics and guests to come in the new year!

Do you dream of exploring the enchanting land of Morocco?

Destination Morocco is your ultimate travel experience for those seeking luxury and adventure. We specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique tastes and desires.

If you're a discerning traveler who values an immersive, curated adventure, visit www.destinationsmorocco.com, and let us bring your dream Moroccan vacation to life.

Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

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Transcript

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Welcome back to another amazing episode of Destination Morocco Podcast. I am your host, Azdean Elmoustaquim, and in today's episode, I'm actually back in Marrakech after a year. so I'm here in Marrakech. I've been here for quite some time, uh, and I'm gonna be here for the next 12 days and I'm really, really, really enjoying it.

And I wanna welcome back Ted, the producer of the podcast. You know, it's always fun to have you, Ted, and it's, uh, we always have, uh, a lot of things to talk about, a lot of things to discuss, you know, between us and also to share with the audience. So, Ted, welcome back to the podcast and what do we have for the audience for, you know, the rest of the 2025 and, and 2026?

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Well, thanks very much. It's always great to be here and, um, I, I really particularly wanted to do this while we had the chance. It's not, [00:01:00] I don't, I don't know if the listeners and the viewers really understand that it's not that often that you are actually in Morocco. So we wanted to make the most of that.

It's very authentic here today. Um, and, uh, yeah, I, I'm genuinely curious about, you know, what have you learned? Since you've been there and what have you been up to? And just, you know, observations therefore on travel in Morocco these days here at the end of 25 as we head into 2026 so really just making the most of this opportunity.

So, um, I guess we'll start with like, well, what have you been up to since you arrived? How long have you been there up to this point?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: I got here, I, you know, the 23rd, I think the 23rd or 22nd of November, so

TED CRAGG: so that's roughly, uh, yeah. Roughly two, three weeks by now. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. And then I depart on, uh, December 24th. So I, I get home the Christmas Eve, uh, and it's been a lot of fun. It's been just [00:02:00] crazy, crazy, beautiful experience. So

I, You know, I've done so much, I've experienced so much, and I also worked on so much.

So I'm, I definitely wanna share, and I love the way that you do the episodes that the questions that you ask are just, just incredible. So I'm looking forward to what you have for me to answer.

TED CRAGG: Well, I mean, did you have a, uh, a set of plans, an itinerary of things to do, or it is been more spontaneous?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: well both

actually, um, you know, every time I come into Morocco. There's always things to do. You know, I, I always get with the team and, you know, we create as much content as we we can because I can't really do a lot of it in the us so this is a great opportunity for me to do so. But the reason why I really, really came this time is because we had a group of travelers, and it's their first time visiting Morocco, and I wanted to be there with them. I wanted to be there for them. I wanted to. To see their faces when they [00:03:00] experience, you know, cultural,

you know, things and immersing themselves in with the locals and all those really, really nice and fun things. So that's, that's the number one reason why, uh, I really came to Morocco At this time. I'm not really big fan of the cold, you know, I, I don't have any hair on my head, so,

but, uh, it's been,

it's been amazing.

We learned so much. We've done so much and we have accomplished so much so, and we had fun along the way, so.

TED CRAGG: Where were your guests from?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: they're originally from the Caribbeans, but they live in the us

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Yeah. so you went on a tour with him then for a few

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. Yeah, we did. Well, some of the groups, they arrived little early, so Tola would say about 12 to 13 days. But the group collectively, uh, it was nine days.

TED CRAGG: Hmm. Okay. So, um, tell us where you went. What did you do?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Well, we did the, they, landed in Casablanca, so the arrival city was Casablanca. Then the departure city was Casablanca as well. And then we did everything [00:04:00] in between. I know it's a little bit jam packed. There's a lot of driving, but we did the best that we could because we wanted them to. See Morocco to, to experience at least most of it so they can tell their friends and, and if they had an opportunity to come back to do so, and, and they're definitely coming back, to visit Morocco again.

 So we did Casablanca, then we did a Rabat, uh, then from Rabat we did, you know, Fes. it's always fun. And then we went to middle, from middle, then we went to to to Dadès Valley, then the desert and back again,

you know, to Marrakesh. And we stayed a couple days in Marrakesh. So it was, it was incredible.

Yeah.

TED CRAGG: Right. So that's kind of the circuit from Fez down somewhat the eastern side of the country to Merzouga and then back across the bottom, over the mountains to Marrakesh.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. That's why, that's why, yes.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm. So, uh, what kind of activities did you guys do?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Well, we did something I experienced for the [00:05:00] first time. So because everybody's different and we build, when we build those itineraries, they're really, really customizable. So I had an opportunity to, to see something new, this tour, uh, to visit and, and experience something new. So, Definitely did the nomad experience.

We did the, uh, the, a cave experience. We did the, a burber experience, obviously, and everybody loved it. And the other thing that I really, really liked and,

uh, this group of people, they're super, super generous, very nice. Uh. And they, they love any country they have visited. They, they always make an impact in terms of the locals.

They, they, they did donations, charity, and it was just incredible. So their effects have been seen throughout Morocco, literally, if you would. And then, you know, when they, they, they, they come to Morocco, they shop. So they're really supporting the local economy and, and, and supporting us. So we're very grateful for that.

TED CRAGG: Hmm. Um, I'm curious about the Berber [00:06:00] experience. So where did you do that, and what did that involve?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Oh, that's a good question. Um, the Burberry experience could be done in so many different parts of Morocco as, as you know, especially in the mountains with the rear in the north side of Morocco or the southern part of Morocco. So this time we did it. When we left fast, we. on the way to, to, uh, normally we make a stop at Iran, then we go to the, to the cedar, the forest to see the Macau monkeys and the Macau monkeys.

They're kind of funny. They're not there all the time. They, you know, they have a busy schedule,

so if you're lucky, you'll meet them. If not, then you just keep driving. and that's where we did. And, uh, we did it in the, uh, in the mountains, the reef mountains, and it was snowy. It was very cold,

but at the same time, it was fun.

So we met the family.

a lady with, with with her kids, two children. all the people, they loved it, they loved that experience. 'cause they, they see, you know, the good in Morocco, they see the bad in Morocco. They see some people have, you know, a lot of things. They see. Some people have, you know, very simple [00:07:00] life.

And the most important thing is they're happy with what they have and they don't take anything for granted. So it was, it was an eye-opening experience for me. So just to see it live and to see the, the generosity of the travelers was just, was amazing. Amazing.

TED CRAGG: Nice.

And you mentioned, uh, you did a cave experience too,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes, we did. We did a cave experience.

This is when we just left fast and, a small city. it's next to a, a high school if you would, and you would never think of, of a cave next to a high school. And you know, the house on outside. A typical Moroccan house, but then when you go down a few stairs and you know, then you see the, the entrance of the cave and it's just, it's mesmerizing.

It was a really, really, really neat experience. We've never done cave before we, in that particular part of, of the country, if you would. and again, the travelers really, really loved it because we're going back and, you know, the gentleman was talking about himself, was talking about his, you know, family going back two, nine [00:08:00] generations.

So it's, it's a lot of history in those, you know, in that area and that cave, uh, and also with his family. So,

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Interesting. Hmm.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yeah,

TED CRAGG: Is this like a deep cave that you really go far? Like how long were you there?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: I think we were there probably about an hour and a half.

Yeah, on an hour and a half we did, you know, uh, you know, minty obviously anywhere you go you have to drink it and it tastes a little bit different. It depending on the region, so depending again on the herbs that are available in that area. So in the mountains, uh, which was really, really nice.

The cave is not really. Very deep, But you can see where the

you know, the kitchen is where they sleep with the, the living room and all that stuff. So it, it's,

TED CRAGG: live in this cave.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: they actually do, yes.

TED CRAGG: Oh, okay.

Oh, that's interesting. Well, geez, I mean, it's warm, it's comfortable, and uh,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: It is, you are absolutely right because I remember when, when,

uh, first was cold, so when we left and we came [00:09:00] outside the cave, it's really, really cold. But then once you go inside the cave, it's, it's very warm. And also the summertime, it's the exact opposite. It's very hot outside and inside. It's really cool.

Yeah.

TED CRAGG: Wow. Okay. so there's some modern amenities in it is electricity, I guess, and stuff

like 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes, of course, yes. There is electric. Yes there is. There is light and yeah, it's, it looks mother now, but back in the day, you know, there's no light, just candles and, you know, very basic stuff. So, and it looked little familiar to me looking at the tools, uh, we still use today in our own village as well. So

TED CRAGG: family that lives in it.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yes, just one family.

Yeah.

TED CRAGG: How'd you find out about this place? Like is it on the kind of tourist route or

something new and different?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's, this is, this is one of the,

the best kept secrets, uh, this, you cannot find this on your own.

TED CRAGG: Okay. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Somebody has to, to refer you. You have to come through us or you have to figure it out. But you know when you book [00:10:00] with us,

TED CRAGG: Yeah. I mean, unless they're the type, they're kind of advertising, you know, come visit our cave. Right? We live in this cave. Come visit maybe. But I would think probably it's like, yeah, if people wanna come see, that's okay. But you gotta plan and, you know, and arrange it. So let's say it's good to know, uh, to know the right people.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah, it's, that's the key word. You have to arrange it.

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Okay. Well that's interesting. Yeah. I hadn't heard of that before. Huh?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah.

TED CRAGG: Um. Yeah. And, and I was, uh, it reminded me too of I was gonna ask you about food. So did you have anything different maybe in terms of food? We've been talking a lot about food lately in the last few episodes.

Anything stand out on this tour of dishes that you tried?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Well, the foods, you know, when I tell people, when you come to Morocco. when it comes to food, you have to be very specific. You know, if you have any, you know, dietary restriction, you need to make sure that.

The food that you eat will be available at certain city or a certain village, because that can be a really challenge. So, and if it's not, [00:11:00] then you let to know, people know, Hey, you know, this is what I eat. Am I gonna be okay going to, to the mountains, or going to the city or going to the desert and having this type of food.

and it's really, really important because we get a lot of people, for example, that say, Hey, you know, um, I'm vegetarian, but I also eat. You know, seafood or I eat seafood and allergic to.

shellfish. So we, we, uh, we have to be very careful and we tend, let's say when we're in, in inner cities where there's no ocean and stuff, we tend to stay away from the fish in general because, you know, it, it has to become from a different city and we don't know if it.

The catch of the day if it's fresh or how fresh it is, if it's few days old and stuff like that. So we, we have to be very careful if we're in the coastal city like Casablanca or Saira. Yeah. Fish is available everywhere. Tanger the salmon, you know, it's, you're gonna get really, really good quality. But then when you go to the desert and say, Hey, uh, I wanna have salmon for dinner, it's very

questionable.

You know, so [00:12:00] that salmon may not be the freshest that again, you don't want to eat something.

That it's gonna really affect you for the rest of the tour or at least hurt you, you know, your stomach and stuff like that. So those are, they may not seem like they're a big deal, but they actually are. So

TED CRAGG: yeah, for sure. Well, did you run into any issues or challenges in this trip?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: a hundred percent yes. Many of them, yes.

TED CRAGG: I imagine it's particularly challenging. I, I, I mean, you could kind of imagine in, in like Merzouga and their luxury desert camps and I mean, seafood's, one thing that's a transport issue, but generally, like these guys have all the, all the facilities you need, right?

But when you're in some of these smaller towns in between and they're really quite small and remote, like. How do they accommodate dietary restrictions? Do you have to bring as a tour or your guide, of course, would organize this, but do you have to bring food with you?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: In some cases it's, it's best to do so.

TED CRAGG: Yeah,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: reason is because there's not gonna be any availability at that village or at [00:13:00] that, you know, let's say for example, you're going from

from fast to middle, When you're in the middle, the food is amazing, by the way. It is incredible.

But then certain food may not be available to you in middle if it's just one day.

You can just bring something with you or we can bring it for you with us, you know, from fast and, and stuff like that. Have it prepared, but you know, just to be on the safe side, 

TED CRAGG: did you get some feedback from them in the end? Once, uh, it all wrapped up?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes, they had an amazing time. they're definitely coming back for 2027. we're talking about it already.

So, uh, this was, uh, an amazing experience and a very, very good learning experience for all of us. So, and they've been super nice, uh, very, very gracious, very, you know, really, really nice people.

TED CRAGG: Well, good. Well this what I'm curious about too, because like what was it like for you to be back in Fez or Merzouga, places that you don't go to, even if you go to Marrakesh from time to time [00:14:00] going, you know, further places than that obviously takes more time and effort. So what was it like being back in Fes this time?

The last time was um, what, at least a couple years ago,

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes, it was a couple years ago and I remember,

uh, was our local guide. He did an amazing job and this year we normally on the regular tours or private tour, we do local guides. So when you get to to fast, you'll have a local guiding fast. When you get to Volubilis, you'll have a local guide, variability and so forth and so

forth. This time, because of the size of the group, we had to take. With us, a national guide,

a certified national guide, which just, it was just an amazing experience for so many reasons. The knowledge was different. it's like they really complete each other in a way. So the experience that we had in Fes was really, really, really good.

The other thing is, Ted, um, when you have those, a local guide will have certain knowledge. Uh, [00:15:00] a national tour guide, certified national tour guide will have some knowledge as well. And every tour, again, is different because it is led by a different.

Guide, uh, I won't specify local or national. It's, it, it 

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Everyone has their own 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: the knowledge is there. Yeah, exact. Exactly. You're absolutely right. So in that style, some may show you, for example, infest, you know, the King's Palace in one way, and there certain lights than the other one will show it to you in a completely different way.

And both of them are amazing. So it it, like I said, in a way, they complete each other. And then you go to the Jewish quarter and you learn something new. In every tour, in every city, I have learned

something new. A hundred percent. So it's like, it felt really, like, it's really my first time doing the tour.

It's like my first time visiting Marrakesh, my first time visiting Casablanca, you know, fast and all those beautiful cities. So, and, and again, you know, we've talked about it Ted many, many times and you've mentioned it yourself. You know, the, the local guides, the tour guides, they really [00:16:00] make or break the tour.

And I, we highly recommend them. We highly recommend working with them, um, because they're really, really worth it.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, it makes all the difference. And, and it's nice. I mean, well it's great to have the national guide there that's with you the whole time and you get to know them very well. Right. And I have a relationship and all that. And then to balance that with the local guides who are such experts in their, their city where they are.

And yeah, I mean it. It just kind of mixes up a bit of the, the feel of the tour, you know, as somebody new. But even then you had, typically you do a local tour with somebody, it's at least a couple hours, if not more. And you know, again, it's enough time and because they're either with you guys, right, small group tours or private tour.

So you do have that chance to really interact and ask questions. Is not some big bus tour with 50 people. You know? You never really get to know the guide. Like you get to know your guides, which is really nice.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. And also the other thing, and this is, uh, the advantage of [00:17:00] having a national certified guide with you. He's in the vehicle with you and he can, we had, we had two separate vehicles and he can explain to both. People or travelers in both vehicles. so a lot of people in between city to city or village or so forth, between a stop to stop, if you would.

They do have a lot of questions. They wanna know a little bit more. They have, you know, they heard something, they wanna confirm it or anything. That's the benefit of it because he's right there. With them answering all their questions and also keeping them entertained in a way and not really, really bored.

Plus again, we, we've talked about it many times. The scenery really, really changes and with those changes come, you know, more questions. 

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Yeah. So did he move back and forth between the two vehicles?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: no, because we connected, we connected both vehicles via, via,

Bluetooth. So they can hear him through Through the radio. Yeah.

TED CRAGG: Oh, that's a good idea. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah. 

TED CRAGG: I guess that helps you guys then accommodate slightly [00:18:00] larger groups, right?

Um, more than the capacity of a vehicle, let's say, 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. 

TED CRAGG: Neat. So what's it been like being back in Morocco, just in general, you know, uh, does it feel like it's changed in the last couple years?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: There's always change. You know, it's kind of weird because every time I come into Morocco, I, I promise you that it really, really feels like it's, it's my first time coming back. That excitement, that burning desire that in that first look, you know, you know, that first touch down of the

airplane, that, that smell,

you know, then you're in line, you see customs and it's like, okay, I'm getting closer.

I'm getting closer. You get outta customs, you go to luggage claim, okay, I got my luggage. I'm excited. Then you go out and it's like, Hey. Who's speaking way of today looking for that person. So it's just, it's, it's a feeling that it's honestly indescribable, but it's more felt that I can, you know, I don't really know how to truly experience.

I mean, describe it, but I love it. I love it, I love it. It's amazing. So yeah,

TED CRAGG: fly to Casablanca this time [00:19:00] or at Marrakesh?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Marrakech, don't say anything. I don't like Casablanca. I'm joking.

You know, that's a really good point, Ted. Be The reason I am from Marrakech, and I don't wanna really sound biased, but I love Marrakech. Casablanca, the airport for me is really hit and miss, but it's a really good opportunity, since you mentioned it,

Ted, recently, last couple months, um, there has been a new flight.

With Delta Airlines from Atlanta, Georgia directly to Marrakech. So this is gonna be

the flight that I'm gonna be taking because it is super convenient, you know, seven, I'm not sure, seven, maybe eight hours. Uh, it's definitely worth it. Then you have the direct flight from Miami to Casablanca, Washington to Casablanca, New York, to Casablanca, New York to Marrakech.

And then in 2026, they're adding another line from direct flight from Los Angeles. To Casablanca. So for the US market, that Canadian market, there's a lot of options for you to fly directly to Morocco versus going, you [00:20:00] know, through Asia or Europe. So

TED CRAGG: Yeah, exactly. Well, that's wonderful. Yeah. Well, I kind of had a feeling, I I, we hadn't chatted about this before, but I was curious how you got there because of all these new flights lately, so. I'm glad to hear you're able to go straight to Marrakesh. It makes sense. Atlanta, it's that big hub, right? So people can usually easily get themselves to Atlanta and then from there straight to Marakesh, which has a really nice airport.

It's a modern airport. It's a bit 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. 

TED CRAGG: Okay. I mean, have you noticed other changes then, uh, around Marrakesh since you've been 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Well, yes, the biggest change anybody comes to market, you're gonna see construction everywhere. It feels like the city is really, really upside down. Whether it's just regular streets, major streets, or even the square, it's, I see, uh, the advancement. I see they're getting very, almost finishing up the last touches because if you remember, Ted, you know, a year ago we talked about.

Um, the events that are happening in Morocco and next week we're [00:21:00] gonna have, the African Cup. Morocco is hosting it, and you have Marrakesh is one of the city. Uh, they're gonna have some games played. Agadir, Casablanca, Rabat Fes, Tanger, I believe so they're really doing the last touches, um, and get it ready

for that.

Also, it's a good opportunity for them to get ready for the World Cup. In 2023 as well. So there's a lot of things happening, a lot of things going on in Morocco, uh, in terms of tourism, in terms

of, events, whether it's, uh, corporate events or whether it's wedding and stuff like that. So it's really, really, really busy.

Yeah. Marque is super packed. Yes.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, I mean now again, we're talking kind of mid-December here. This episode will come out in a couple weeks, by which time the tournament will have started. But are you already seeing people arriving and setting up for the African cup?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. Yes. It's, you know, Mar, I just wanna give you an idea. literally they dig up the square of Jemaa el-Fnaa, you know, a few months ago, or, you know, a year or so ago, in regards to getting ready [00:22:00] for, for this

month, you know, and what's the event that is gonna happen, uh, this month? And also, I think in, in terms of the square, they're just putting at the last layer of what they need to be.

To get done. So if you remember Ted, when you came in to the square, you'll see especially around five, or you know, at, at this time, probably around four 30 or so, you know, all those food stalls, they start getting ready, uh, to set up, you know, 

TED CRAGG: Late in the afternoon. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: night and yeah. And they stay all the way up

probably to, to four, five in the morning.

But this time, because of the restrictions and also because of the construction. They cut them in half. So when you go to Jemaa el-Fnaa now, you'll see, um, just, half of the operation really, if you would, and they're kind of rotating.

If you have your, your booth for this week, next week, somebody else will have your, you know, uh, the spot and so forth and so forth.

Until the construction is complete, then everything will go back to normal. So it's, you know,

um, [00:23:00] at least they're not shutting them down completely. But it's kind of a. Doing it halfway, if you would. Yeah.

TED CRAGG: Yeah, but I, so the plan is to get that construction done like right away or soon here for the 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yes. Yeah, definitely. Yes. Yes.

TED CRAGG: Okay. Interesting. besides that, does it feel, does it feel like there's a lot of, it's maybe hard to tell, but you can often tell, you know, your, your soccer, your football, tourists besides, uh, regular tourists, does it feel like there are a lot of just regular tourists kind of coming there over the holidays and, and exploring?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: it's, it's packed. You know, one thing that we don't really pay attention us just regular folks or the locals, the, the, media presence. You know, you have the media coming from all over, and they're not like us. You know, you wanna watch the game, you're probably gonna get there a day before.

But for them, they get there two weeks, three weeks before, because they, they, they have to, you know, fill many things. They have to prepare many things and all that stuff. So [00:24:00] the media is already here. And it's just, it's jam packed. I've seen it as well in Casablanca, in Rabat I didn't get to see it much, but in those two major cities, you can definitely see it.

There's a lot of hustle and bus.

TED CRAGG: What about accommodation? Maybe this goes back to your tour in particular, but, um, how busy is accommodation and, um, yeah. Where are people staying these days?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: They're saying everywhere they can find available.

Literally. Yeah, Yeah. Because you know, we talked about this a while back. Even I remember if in, you know, if, if you're in March, 2025 and look into book in December, 2025, you probably, it's probably late. So, and that's how busy it is. You can just imagine it nine, nine months out of, you know, out of, so it's a.

It is super busy.

TED CRAGG: Mm-hmm. Let's chat a bit about the year to come then in 2026. We're starting the new year. I mean, there's this big tournament, but of course that'll be done in a couple weeks or so. Um, do you know offhand of other big events or, you know, big maybe changes [00:25:00] or, um, additions to the tourism scene kind of thing that people can look forward to this year?

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: sure. You know, just recently when I, when I got to Morocco.

To Marques specifically, I, I've seen, you know, a police presence, all type of police, Gendarmes, uh, army and stuff. And, and it was like, Hey, what's going on? Then the, the, I was told that, you know, Marrakech is hosting the, the International Interpol meeting.

Uh, it is a big deal. Trust me. So when we talk about safety in Morocco, there's nothing that tell you Morocco is safe, better than house, the international meeting for Interpol. So you can just imagine, you know, that's, that's, that's a big deal.

So then the other thing that happened just right after it finishes Marrakech hosted its 22nd, uh, international Marrakech Festival, you know, when stars come out, you know, from all over the globe and it's, it's a major event.

So Marrakech hosted those back to back. So again, you can just imagine the hustle and bustle and, and it's [00:26:00] super busy. So next year, project the, the tourism was slowed down a little bit because again, the events, especially the soccer ones, they're major, they're huge, and they attract a lot of tourists and crowds.

They're not gonna be happening in 2026. But in tourism, in terms of, visitors, tourists, it's still gonna be busy. Not at, not to that level probably, but because. Everybody's gonna be talking about their experiences, what they have witnessed

in 2025. And it's gonna make people wanna come and visit it. And again, if you remember this, this is, you know, the momentum that Morocco got after the World Cup, the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Uh, they went all the way to the semifinals. Um, a lot of people didn't know anything about Morocco. And because of that, the tourism industry really benefited from it. And, you know, a lot of people,

uh. Came and visit Morocco. And again, when we talk about numbers that last year we said there were 17.4 million visitors.

Now we are, we are in [00:27:00] December and sometime ago, I thinking the, you know, they did a study in October, I believe, and they, they, they, they have reached 18

million. 

TED CRAGG: Wow.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: They have surpassed Exactly, yes. So this is, if it tells you anything, it's, you know, in terms of tourism in Morocco, it's really big. it's improving and more people are coming to visit Morocco.

So I'm not sure what the numbers will look like in, in 2026, but I know it's already busy because, uh. The numbers, what we have seen, the bookings that we have seen, especially the first year of 2026, you

know, uh, January is definitely the busiest, probably ever because of the finals. And a lot of people are gonna be here February.

Normally it's kind of quiet, but I don't think so. and then March, the busy season you have March, April, and May. That's the busy season. So tourism is, it's gonna be pretty busy. Uh, season 2026, 

TED CRAGG: Yeah. Okay. Well that's just it. I was gonna ask you like, is there a time of year, maybe this year in particular, that you recommend people visit and perhaps [00:28:00] in, in specifically for those who haven't booked something yet, if they're thinking of going in 2026,

when would you say recommend there's the best time to come if they

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: I would, I would say, it's a really good question, Ted. I always say six months. Um, if you're gonna, if you're gonna do something in December, a minimum of nine months, because once those accommodations are gone, the local guys, the good ones are booked. you don't have a lot of options, so don't take that chance.

And right now we have bookings. You know, for 2027, we have bookings,

to, you know, September, October, 2026. People are really booking early and I think I could be wrong. And I think the reason is because they, they've learned. From 2025, they probably wanted to come to Morocco in 2025 and they didn't have a lot of options, so they postponed it to 2026.

But, uh, the bookings that we have seen, people are really booking ahead of time, uh, which is really good news, Ted, if you would. So 

TED CRAGG: Well that's where it [00:29:00] gives you the best, uh, choice for sure. The best options. Yeah.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Absolutely. 

TED CRAGG: to stay and the type of tours you wanna do. And even specific people if you have someone in mind.

Yeah. 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Yeah.

TED CRAGG: what else have you got planned then, while you're still there over the next, uh, almost couple weeks, but, um, you know, any other activities and things you're up to in Marrakesh before you head 

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Oh my God. this is something that we did today.

we went to a studio and, we did 40 voiceover commercials Eddie, um, and Yusef did an amazing job and we just shared some of the stories today.

If, if you, if you go into our Instagram account, you'll see them. Um, I wanna do an episode with someone if I can, within next probably week or

so, if possible. If not, next time when I come back,

I, I'll definitely use it. but also I appreciate this opportunity with the guys because we don't see each other much.

You know, during that session, you know, we record, we take a break, we do selfies, we take, profile pictures and stuff, and I was [00:30:00] thinking it's 2025 and I remember 20. 21 when we actually started the podcast. So you stuck with me for one year before we did anything.

We recorded a few episodes and we never published them.

And I'm nervous. I'm a mess. And I don't know how to read. It is true. Uh, I struggle with reading the script.

and so I have to do it in a certain way, otherwise I just cannot read it. Um, and I'm very grateful for you Ted, and I told you I would never get tired of saying I'm very grateful. Um, I always say the same thing again and again. I am the host, but the podcast is really Ted. I mean, he does everything. and I really, really, really, really appreciate it. So if anybody needs help with the podcast, with editing, that is your guy.

no, because I, I, you know, it's, uh, that's how I honestly feel, you know, it's, and I felt it then and I still feel it.

So, and you've been super patient with me in so many different ways, and I feel very fortunate to have you be [00:31:00] part of the podcast, be part of this whole journey. It's been just beyond incredible. You know, we're over 150 different countries. We reach all, you know, continents, if you would. Uh, it's just amazing the impact that the podcast had on the listeners, so I'm super grateful to the listeners.

Super grateful to be part of it, and thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Ted.

TED CRAGG: Well, it's my pleasure. That's just it. It's, it's why I love this, uh, this medium. 'cause there's really nothing else like podcasting, you know, where people give you their time in this world of like, you know, 32nd videos and all this stuff. And like, people want something that's more in depth and conversation and really getting into understand topics and.

Travel's a great one. Broadly speaking, Morocco is fascinating. It's such a great way to explain what Morocco is like and really understand and, and in practical ways, you know, to learn what the accommodation options are like and what Riyadh are like. And of course the food and all the various activities and things.

And [00:32:00] you know, you throw in a bit of history for sure in some of the culture. You've had your language lessons that that's fun. So there's so much you can do with the podcast. It's a big reason why I love doing this, but. Yeah, it's true. We're coming up on, um, our, our first full episode then was in February of 2022, right?

So we're coming up on four years since we really launched the show. And the other reason why I wanted to record this with you today is because by, by our count, at least, this is officially our 100th episode.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Oh my 

TED CRAGG: Now we have done more. We've done out bonus ones and we've done some live q and a ones and stuff.

But as far as like regular episodes go, people will see it in the apps. Like the number episode, this is number 100. It should say that at least. So yes, that's a bit of a milestone. That's nice to celebrate and, and especially once you're there, you're there in Marques right now, which is, which is pretty cool.

We don't get this opportunity very often.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: yes, I remember, 'cause we did, we did an episode last time in 2023 on the way Morocco. And we, I did it, I believe in, in m.

TED CRAGG: yeah, yeah. You're in a stopover.[00:33:00]

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: amazing. Yes. Yes. Wow. Wow. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank

TED CRAGG: So, yeah, it's been fun. It's great to catch up on your trip and uh, and how things are looking there in Morocco, especially for the coming year.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: absolutely. 

TED CRAGG: and I think we'll lead with that. We'll certainly wish everybody, uh, a wonderful year here in 2026.

We'd love to see you in Morocco. And maybe we'll leave this as a final note. Uh, we love hearing people's stories on the podcast, um, who've been on tours and, you know, share their thoughts and experience perspective. So if you've been on a tour with Azdean Destination Morocco. Or if you're heading there at some point this year, keep it in mind.

We'd really love to hear your stories here. Come on the show. We'll tell you how it all works in the tech and the setup. It's, that's pretty straightforward. But, uh, feel free to reach out. We'd love to hear your stories.

AZDEAN ELMOUSTAQUIM: Thank you so much. Thank you. 

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