A growing tourism industry in Western Sahara has reignited concerns among rights groups and legal experts over the international recognition of Morocco’s control of the disputed territory. The controversy has intensified as airlines and hotel booking platforms increasingly market destinations in Western Sahara as part of Morocco, despite the United Nations classifying the region as a “non-self-governing territory”.
The issue has come into focus with the rising popularity of Dakhla, a coastal city located on a peninsula between the Sahara Desert and the Atlantic Ocean. Tourism promotions by airlines and travel companies describe the destination as a hidden Moroccan paradise, attracting visitors with inexpensive flights and luxury resorts. Budget airline Ryanair recently advertised trips to Dakhla from Madrid, with return tickets available for as little as €30.
However, Western Sahara remains one of the world’s longest unresolved territorial disputes. Around 80% of the territory is controlled and administered by Morocco, which refers to the area as its “southern provinces”. The indigenous Sahrawi people, represented politically and militarily by the Polisario Front, continue to demand independence for the region.
The conflict dates back to 1976, after Spain withdrew from the territory following decades of colonial rule. Morocco subsequently claimed sovereignty over Western Sahara, leading to armed conflict with the Polisario Front. A UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991 included provisions for a referendum on self-determination, but the promised vote has never taken place.
Despite the unresolved political situation, tourism in the Morocco-controlled region has expanded significantly. According to figures from Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism, visitor numbers rose from nearly 490,000 in 2019 to more than 743,000 in 2025. Airlines including Ryanair, Transavia France and Royal Air Maroc now operate direct routes to Dakhla and other cities from destinations such as Madrid, Paris and the Canary Islands.
Many travel companies and booking platforms identify these destinations as being in Morocco. Major booking websites including Booking.com, Expedia and Trivago list hotels in Western Sahara under Moroccan locations. Rights campaigners argue that such labelling risks legitimising Morocco’s control over the territory and misrepresenting its disputed status under international law.
Erik Hagen of campaign group Western Sahara Resource Watch said companies promoting the territory as Moroccan contribute to confusion over its legal status and public understanding of the conflict. He raised concerns over the responsibilities of international corporations operating in politically sensitive regions.
Legal experts have also questioned the practices of airlines and tourism companies. Dr Andrea Maria Pelliconi, a specialist in international human rights law at the University of Southampton, said firms should clearly distinguish Western Sahara from Morocco due to its separate legal status. She warned that companies could potentially face legal challenges linked to consumer protection and international law.
Some travel companies have begun altering their policies. Last year, Airbnb reportedly stopped identifying listings in Western Sahara as being located in Morocco following pressure from campaign groups.
Meanwhile, the Polisario Front has accused Morocco of using tourism projects to strengthen its claim over the territory. Sidi Breika, Polisario’s representative to the UK and Ireland, alleged that most tourists visiting the region remain unaware of the political conflict surrounding the area.
The dispute over Western Sahara continues to attract international attention. In October, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the territory for another year and reiterated support for efforts aimed at finding a political solution. The United States had earlier recognised Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara in 2020 under a diplomatic agreement tied to Morocco’s normalisation of relations with Israel.
