It wasn’t that they were super persistant, it was the fact that they were aggressive in their approach and if they didn’t get what they wanted they would turn on you.

I know the feeling when you get swarmed by people trying to sell you things, be it a bike ride or bus ticket, change money or whatever else. You just dont know where to turn sometimes.

Do go to Morocco as its a great country to visit, with plenty to see. Just be warned by what you’ve read and keep your guard at all times. They are relentless. Thanks for your input Steve. As always.

This means at the Airport or Bus Station, where they swarm all over you. Just say no and put your head down and try and find one elsewhere. Easier than it sounds, but it works most of the time. Safe travels.

I also remember befriending a number of street hawkers (far less agressive mind you) in Bali many years ago. In the end I would sit on the street corner with them and actually help them pick out people I believe they would have a chance of selling to.

West Africa is still some time away mate, but I will get there sooner rather than later. It along with central Asia are the two major region’s on earth I am yet to travel to. I’ll have a read over at travelling independent, to wet the whistle so to speak. Thanks for your input mate, greatly appreciated.

Don’t be to put off by what you’ve read, and just take it all on board. It may make you better prepared for the bother you will face. From some of the comments to this post it seems that it has eased some what over the years since I visited. To put it into perspective, the good people in Morocco probably out number the touts 100,000 to 1, its just a pity you have to deal with the touts on a daily basis. Thanks for your comment. Safe travels.

I’ve never really had this much trouble from touts. Although a few times in Phnom Penh, I got surrounded by guys offering me rides on their motorbikes. There were so many of them that I couldn’t walk around them to go across the street.

I’m still not deterred from seeing Morocco though.

All I wanted was to be treated with the same respect I showed them, nothing more and nothing less. So I may pay a few bucks over the odds, no big deal that’s to be expected, but when I say, ‘No sir, I don’t need a guide today’, and get asked again another couple of times, where I politely give them same answer. Then I’m called every name under the sun, to me has got nothing to do with culture, and everything to do with respect. The general Moroccan I met could not have been any kinder, it was simply the touts and hawkers that my frustration are pointed at.

Enjoy Monglia, and I do appreciate your comment, and input.

I agree change was needed but change has to come from within a country and from the people who live there. Not because western tourists decide they do not like the way they are treated. Also change that leads to all countries being same same is destroying culture so everything has to be in balance. Marrakech has Macdonalds and KFC fast food joints these days not all change is progressive!

The one thing that strikes me in Morocco is how safe it is compared to other countries I have traveled in, I have never once felt at threat of aggression or theft. Something I have experienced far to often in other destinations.

Like other places the longer you stay there the more you adapt and understand what is going on. The current political situation is very fluid so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. I will not be back there until Sept as I have a date with some other camels but the two hump type this time in Mongolia.

Great site Jason well done

Regards

Peter