Marrakech Tourism Soars: 2.7 Million Visitors Flood Morocco’s Ochre City

Between January and July 2025, 2.764 million Moroccan and foreign tourists visited Marrakech, according to data from the Marrakech-Menara Airport General Directorate, reported by Assahra Al Maghribia. A flow that represents nearly a quarter of the 11.6 million tourists who arrived in the kingdom during the period. The contribution of Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) to this performance is not negligible. "Out of the 11.6 million visitors recorded in Morocco until the end of July, 52% are MREs. Their role is crucial in the improvement that the sector is experiencing," explains tourism expert Zoubir Bouhout.

By nationality, the French are at the top of arrivals with 33% of the total, far ahead of the Spanish (21%) and the Belgians (10%). For the month of July alone, 366,000 tourists arrived in Marrakech. The momentum is maintained in this month of August where the hotels and tourist accommodation establishments in the ochre city have occupancy rates of 90%. However, the expert warns of a slowdown in growth, noting a stabilization at +6% in July after a jump of +27% in April. To correct the situation, Bouhout calls for "redoubling efforts to regain growth rates close to 20%".

The expert emphasizes the importance of air connectivity and market diversification, and the strengthening of domestic tourism, which represents only 30% of overnight stays. "The share of the domestic clientele remains low compared to the potential. In developed countries, domestic clientele accounts for between 70 and 80% of tourism, as incomes allow them to keep up with price changes. In Morocco, it is urgent to put in place offers adapted to the purchasing power of families and to improve local infrastructure," he recommends.