Imagine the golden sands of the Sahara tightening against the turquoise waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the place where kitesurfers enjoy the strong winds, and tourists discover the purified desert landscapes under the large blue sky. These are the images Morocco is using to market its product in Western Sahara, an area whose identity has for a long time been tied to its territorial conflict. In 2026, the North African kingdom is not only continuing to use tourism as a tool for economic development but is also investing heavily in it by promoting regional integration. Besides tourism, it is turning a remote and neglected province into an up-and-coming hotspot for adventurers.
The substantial rise in the number of visitors tells a remarkable story. Official figures indicate that arrivals at the parts of Western Sahara under Moroccan administration soared from about 490,000 in 2019 to more than 743,000 in 2025, a 50% increase within a short period of seven years. The growing interest in Western Sahara tourism did not happen solely by chance. The state has launched major infrastructure projects, built new resorts, and enhanced international flight connections, Mainly with Europe, in an effort to attract foreign visitors to the region.
Dakhla has become the most visible example of the success of this plan. This formerly unknown fishing village is now being marketed as a first-class center for water sports and nature tourism. The opening of new direct routes by low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Transavia operating flights from cities like Madrid Marseille Bordeaux, and Lanzarote has Much changed the situation. Getting to Dakhla to enjoy its beautiful lagoon, which is also a paradise for kitesurfers, is easier than ever. Up and running are luxury hotels and eco-resorts dotting the coastline, which provide different options from the desert camping to wellness, and high-end.
Most travelers are attracted by the unspoiled beauty and the aura of discovery plus the chance to match their personal outdoor and cultural interests more closely. A perfect day would be, after waking up in a fabulous beach house, to going out for kitesurfing at one of the sites where the wind is rated among the top not only in the country but also in North Africa. Later, the flame-grilled fish helps to bring the adventurous day to a close. Since the Saharan people are the main providers of their cultural heritage, the Moroccan administration is supporting the presentation of Sahrawi culture First while showing on the other the modernization of cities like Laayoune. The visitor’s experience is greatly enhanced by the new roads and airports, ongoing hospitality developments, as well as other related infrastructure improvements, all the while providing work opportunities for local populations.
Though, this tourism boom in the region has been accompanied by a lot of controversies. Western Sahara is a disputed territory, Morocco considers it as a part of its territory while the Polisario Front stands for self-determination. Critics say that Morocco is trying to consolidate its control through economic means by inviting western tourists and marking their passports with Moroccan entry stamps. On the contrary, proponents consider it a legitimate development that is bringing a prosperous change into the region that has been very isolated for a long time. The Moroccan government presents its activities as the implementation of its wider strategy to the southern provinces. The latest contracts signed for tourism projects in Dakhla, Boujdour, and Tarfaya prioritize sustainable development, including promoting eco-tourism and adventure tourism.
Besides these, the government’s initiatives also reflect Morocco’s national ambition to attract 17.5 million tourists in a year by 2026, a number that has already been surpassed at the national level due to the strong momentum of the country overall. When it comes to potential visitors, the impression is quite similar to one getting to a border destination that is under development. While hospitality from locals was reported to be very friendly and new facilities extremely impressive, some international travel advisories still point out risks around the berm – the militarized boundary line – and advise caution in certain areas.
Visiting the well-developed coastal areas like Dakhla, most tourists say they feel safe and get a warm welcome from the locals who usually tell them about the beauty of unspoiled beaches and the magic of desert sunsets. Morocco is continuously investing in the upgrading of hotels, improving transport facilities, and the like, as well as carrying out promotional campaigns, and That’s why the tourism character of Western Sahara is still unfolding.It is a story of a lot of different elements put together a place where people come for adventure doings and at the same time the questions on the identity and sovereignty are raised. If someone is adventurous enough to come here, to the place off-the-beaten-path, where there are dramatic landscapes and emerging luxury, they will find there something unique in 2026.It has not yet been decided whether this move will make the region stable and bring shared prosperity to the peoples. Though, it is one of the most closely followed developments in North African tourism today.
