Growing holiday hotspot desperate for UK tourists as Majorca and Canary Islands call for ban

A much-loved holiday hotspot is making a bid for UK tourists - as several European destinations look to limit them. BirminghamLive has previously reported how locals in the likes of Majorca and the Canary Islands have protested against over-tourism.

However, there are many locations across the world still desperate for people from the UK to holiday there. One such hotspot is Morocco, which is expanding rapidly ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

The North African country wants to grow to 26 million annual visitors within six years - so is desperate to see tourism rise. And there will be the capacity too, as it is expected to need 100,000 extra beds to cope with the festival of football.

Read more: Majorca 'left in panic'

Barbara Podbial, Morocco specialist adviser at travel agency Flee Winter, said: "Tourism has had a positive impact in Marrakesh," she said. "You can see it in the cleanliness of the streets, it's very safe, and people are not pushing you to buy things now the way they were before. But, with so many budget flights bringing in tourists, it can feel very busy."

Whereas Marrakesh is already well-known to UK tourists, there are lesser-known holiday destinations. Casablanca, Agadir, Fez, Rabat and Tangier are all undergoing redevelopment. A slew of new hotels will be opening across Morocco, from the Waldorf Astoria in Tangier to 25 new Radisson Hotels due to open before 2030.

Ms Podbial Fez, Morocco's cultural capital, to visit and says it is not overrun with tourists. She also referenced Agadir, the coast near the fishing village of Taghazout offers surf lessons on sandy beaches, while those planning a trip to Marrakesh can also include an excursion to the High Atlas mountains, a couple of hours drive away.

Meanwhile, some UK tourists will be boycotting Spain and have warned locals who have protested against their presence they 'will soon be crying'. UK holidaymakers have warned European Union hotspot Tenerife, in particular, that the Canary Islands will be off their vacation list after protests against over-tourism this weekend.

"This is the most bizarre protest ever. Unless they have a watertight plan B for their economies, they better get used to not eating. They're biting the hand that literally feeds them," wrote a GB News reader in response to the protests.