Switching back to GMT is about more than simply changing the clocks. The one-hour shift raises very practical questions about daily routines, from commuting between home and work to school schedules and the adjustments required in some economic sectors. Comments from a tourism expert and a former diplomat offer two different perspectives on a change that continues to fuel debate.
For the tourism sector, returning to GMT could create new opportunities rather than impose a constraint.
Dr. Fadwa Chbani Idrissi, a tourism expert, believes the small time difference with Europe’s main source markets should limit the impact on travelers. “The time difference with Europe remains minimal and should not significantly disrupt travelers’ biological rhythms,” she explains.
Her analysis goes beyond the issue of time zones. In her view, keeping a stable time could make it easier to organize flights and tourism programs by reducing adjustments linked to seasonal clock changes, particularly around Ramadan.
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The natural rhythm of the day could also influence some tourist habits. “In winter, earlier sunrise could encourage morning excursions and outdoor activities,” she notes, although evenings would become shorter.
The time change could also have a commercial dimension.
Dr. Chbani Idrissi believes the shift could encourage tourism operators to strengthen their presence among British, Irish and American travelers while consolidating established European markets. She also calls on tourism professionals to adjust activity and hotel service schedules to improve visitors’ comfort.
Energy considerations also factor into her analysis. In her view, better alignment between operating hours and weather conditions could help make resource use more efficient, provided that industry players anticipate the necessary adjustments.
“The key is to anticipate the change and mobilize tourism stakeholders to turn it into a genuine opportunity for adaptation and innovation,” she concludes.
A debate that mainly affects family routines
The impact of the time change extends beyond businesses. Some of the most heated discussions involve families dealing with school and work schedules.
Hassan Hami, a former diplomat, nevertheless plays down the significance of the change. “Waking up and sleeping are psychological matters,” he says, arguing that adapting is the main response to this type of change.
He points to differences between social groups. Civil servants and office workers, he explains, are often among those most affected by the difficulty of dropping children off at school before heading to work. By contrast, people accustomed to starting their day very early generally adapt more easily to such changes, he says.
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Beyond daily routines, safety has also emerged as part of the debate.
Hassan Hami points to people who commute early in the morning without their own vehicles and may feel more exposed when traveling before sunrise. He nevertheless believes this argument alone does not explain all the opposition to the time change.
His assessment is pragmatic: some jobs operate around the clock regardless of time zones. “They work 24 hours a day and don’t see any difference in their daily lives,” he observes.
Ultimately, the two perspectives converge on one point: the time change does not affect everyone in the same way. Its impact depends on people’s occupations, sectors of activity and lifestyles.
