Moroccan Tourism Surges for Year-End Holidays, Marrakech Leads the Way

Moroccan tourism will experience an upturn during the year-end holidays. "The year-end holidays will see an exceptional influx of Moroccans in the various tourist destinations of the kingdom," Othmane Cherif Alami, president of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Tourism Council, is convinced when speaking to Médias24. At the top of the list are Marrakech and Agadir, but we must not overlook the attractiveness of other cities like Casablanca, Fez, Moulay Yâacoub, Tangier and Chefchaouen, Tamuda Bay with the offers of the great luxury hotels around well-being, the escape to Errachidia-Merzouga or Ouarzazate, not to mention of course Dakhla".

He expects the occupancy rate to reach 90% in Marrakech and Agadir, for at least 4 to 5 nights. "If we manage to reach a rate of 40% 60% for 4 to 5 nights for the other cities, it will be a good result," estimates the president of the holding company Investi Tour (Atlas travel group).

Currently, the Marrakech destination is booming. "According to the latest data we have, 1,332 rotations (round trips) will be made at Marrakech airport in the week of December 23 to 29, the equivalent of a passenger volume of 250,000 passengers (domestic and international). This means that if we only consider the arriving rotations, 125,000 tourists are expected during this week," deduces Zoubir Bouhoute, analyst of tourist flows and source markets. According to his explanations, Marrakech airport will receive an average of 95 flights per day during this week, the equivalent of 18,000 passengers. "In addition, tens of thousands of Moroccan tourists will flock by road, further boosting the total arrivals in Marrakech," Zoubir further specifies.

The increase in arrivals will have a positive impact on the occupancy rate. This should reach 100% during the year-end period. The overnight stays will be mainly carried out by the club hotels. According to forecasts, the occupancy rate in Marrakech will reach 100%. "Out of the 27.8 million overnight stays that operators are aiming for this year 2024 at the national level, Marrakech will account for 36% of the national volume of overnight stays, with a 3% increase compared to last year. The Marrakech region, if we add Essaouira and Al Haouz, will record 12 million overnight stays, or 42% of the national volume," notes Zoubir.

Agadir will also experience a strong influx during these year-end holidays. "The occupancy rate in 2024 in Agadir, where 6.5 million overnight stays will be realized, will show the best progression (16% to 17%). This means that Agadir is making a strong comeback, notably thanks to the new seaside resort of Taghazout and the major investments made," the analyst specifies.

The upturn is confirmed, but there are challenges to be met. The accommodation offer during this year-end period remains insufficient due to the exceptional results of the international influx thanks to low cost, the growth in the use of hotels for categories A, B+ and C, but also the large number of hotel rooms still unavailable, explains the president of the Casablanca-Settat Regional Tourism Council.