Abstract
Tourism development in Morocco has historically been concentrated in coastal destinations such as Agadir, Essaouira, Tangier, and Casablanca, creating persistent disparities compared to inland and mountain regions. While national tourism strategies promote territorial cohesion, the distribution of tourism infrastructures, mobility flows, and investment remains uneven—reinforcing socio-economic inequalities between coastal hubs and inland Amazigh communities. This paper examines how tourism mobilities, state-led branding, and private-sector investment contribute to spatial inequalities and the marginalization of inland territories. By comparing digital representations of coastal and inland destinations on social media platforms (Instagram and TikTok) with official tourism policies and statistical data, the study highlights how coastal imaginaries dominate Morocco’s tourism narrative. These dynamics influence visitors’ mobility patterns, local economic opportunities, and the ability of inland communities to benefit from tourism. The paper argues that the uneven visibility of inland areas is not simply a branding issue but part of a broader socio-technical assemblage shaping access to resources, heritage, and development. The findings call for more equitable tourism governance that supports rural revitalization, heritage preservation, and mobility justice across peripheral Moroccan territories.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Critical Issues in Tourism and Leisure Studies
KEYWORDS
Tourism Inequalities, Tourism Mobilities, Spatial Disparities, Digital Representations, Mobility Justice
