Moroccan Tourism Surges in Ceuta as Border Restrictions Ease

Despite the suspension of visa exemption for Moroccans since the reopening of the borders, the latter have not failed to go to Ceuta. Even if the figures do not reach those of the pre-border closure period, they are at least encouraging. "In recent months, there has been a strong increase in the number of Moroccan tourists arriving with visas," rejoiced the government delegation, aware that "changes take time."

During this summer season (June to August), the number of Moroccan travelers who crossed the Tarajal has almost tripled, reaching 14,000 compared to 5,000 in the same period last year, according to consular data to which Ceutaldia had access. The hotel establishments of the autonomous city confirm this upward trend. "I don’t have the figures for 2022, but I’m sure there has been progress. It’s not like before the pandemic, even if there is still a long way to go," says a hotel manager.

One complex recorded a peak in occupancy by Moroccan tourists, going from 180 in 2022 to 1,241 in 2023. In another hotel in the city, the increase is more remarkable, with more than 2,646 Moroccan tourists this summer compared to only 112 last year. These figures show that Moroccans are gradually returning to Ceuta and bringing a breath of fresh air to the city’s hoteliers, who have been hard hit by the Covid-19 health crisis, and consequently, to the local economy.

Spain granted a total of 183,707 visas to Moroccans in 2022, according to official data, an increase of 135% compared to 2021, but less than the more than 210,000 granted in 2019 before the pandemic.