Moroccan Tourism Minister Defends Hotel Prices Amid Rising Costs Concerns

In the eyes of the Minister of Tourism, Fatima Zahra Ammor, accommodation prices in hotels, particularly in the northern cities and Marrakech, are reasonable compared to tourist destinations in Asia and Europe frequented by Moroccans. To support her argument, she relied on the results of a study carried out in the summer of 2023 comparing prices for the same product between Morocco and the tourist destinations frequented by Moroccans in Asia and Europe. This study shows that accommodation prices in 3-star hotels in Morocco are around 650 dirhams, while they vary between 900 and 1,700 dirhams in these countries, reports the site Al3omk. Accommodation prices in 4-star hotels in Morocco are around 1,000 dirhams, while they vary between 1,400 and 2,200 dirhams in these countries.

This is not the first time the minister has defended the high cost of hotel nights in Morocco. Prices "are set within the framework of the provisions of Law No. 104.12 on freedom of prices and competition" and "are linked to supply and demand," she has meanwhile affirmed. In responding to a set of written questions from deputies in 2022 regarding the rise in prices of hotel services offered to local and foreign tourists, whether across the national territory or in certain cities, she had explained that it "is possible to reduce the price of trips by booking and, as far as possible, by avoiding periods when demand far exceeds supply".

And to add: the Ministry of Tourism "works with professional representations of the tourism sector to raise awareness of the provision of appropriate tourist offers in terms of quality and price and works to increase the tourist offer; in particular by encouraging investment to create accommodation establishments adapted to the tourist capacity of Moroccan families".

Moroccan tourism has started its recovery in 2023. "In 11 months, 13.2 million tourists have visited Morocco, thus beating the all-time record of 12.9 million for the whole of 2019," the Ministry of Tourism said in a press release released on December 14. This upturn has benefited the hotel industry. The volume of tourist overnight stays improved by 11% compared to 2019 and by 38% compared to 2022 to reach 23.7 million.