LONDON/LAAYOUNE – British tourism operators are monitoring with growing unease the escalating diplomatic and administrative moves by Morocco to consolidate its control over the disputed Western Sahara territory. The situation, unfolding in real time, tests the limits of the UK’s pragmatic approach to the region and threatens to destabilise a lucrative travel corridor.
Moroccan authorities this week announced the suspension of all non-essential travel from the Polisario Front-controlled areas, effectively sealing the border between the Moroccan-administered zone and the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria. The decision, communicated via an official bulletin from the Ministry of Interior in Rabat, cites "security imperatives" and the need to "counter separatist activities." It follows a series of measures including the imposition of new visa requirements for Sahrawi passport holders and the closure of several informal border crossings.
For British tourism, the implications are immediate and significant. The Western Sahara region, known for its Atlantic beaches and desert landscapes, has become a secondary destination for UK tour operators offering package holidays in Morocco. Direct flights from London to Laayoune, operated by Air Arabia Maroc, carry an estimated 25,000 British passengers annually. The new restrictions threaten to curtail or halt this traffic.
A senior official from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing diplomatic contacts, confirmed that London is "closely reviewing the situation." The official stated that no formal advisory against travel has been issued, but noted that the FCDO is "reassessing its risk assessment for the region."
The FCDO maintains no formal consular presence in Western Sahara. British citizens requiring assistance are directed to the embassy in Rabat, which exercises limited oversight over events in the territory. This structural gap has long frustrated travellers and operators alike.
The situation is complicated by Morocco’s intensifying lobbying campaign in London. The Moroccan embassy has urged British officials to recognise its sovereignty over Western Sahara, arguing that the territory’s stability is essential for regional security and economic development. In return, Rabat has offered enhanced counterterrorism cooperation and investment opportunities for British firms in the phosphate and renewable energy sectors.
This strategic calculus, however, risks alienating the Polisario Front and Algeria, which view Moroccan sovereignty claims as illegal. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) maintains diplomatic relations with over 30 states and continues to receive support from the African Union. Any perceived shift in British policy could trigger retaliation, potentially including the expulsion of UK aid workers or the closing of airspace over the region.
The UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) remains in place but has seen its mandate repeatedly renewed without progress towards a political settlement. The peacekeeping force, which includes a small British military contingent, is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and organising a referendum on self-determination. The referendum, however, has been indefinitely suspended since 1997.
In the immediate term, British tourism authorities are urging operators to diversify their routes and reduce exposure to the Western Sahara market. A spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said the body is "actively engaging" with tour operators to manage potential disruptions and provide consumer advice.
As the situation develops, the UK government faces a delicate balancing act. It must protect British economic interests without prejudicing the peace process or antagonising either party to the dispute. The outcome of these calculations will have consequences not only for tourism but for Britain’s broader diplomatic relations across North Africa.
The FCDO has advised all British nationals in Western Sahara to register with the embassy and to monitor local media for changes to the security environment. Travel insurance policies are increasingly excluding coverage for incidents related to political unrest in the territory, adding another layer of complexity for holidaymakers planning trips to the region.
This story is breaking and will be updated as events warrant.
For the latest travel advice, visit the FCDO’s website or contact the British Embassy in Rabat.
