Morocco Reopens Borders to Diaspora, Boosting Tourism After Pandemic Pause

21 May 2022 – bySylvanus@Bladi · 2 min read

Suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Marhaba operation has been relaunched to the delight of Moroccans residing abroad who are returning to the country to spend their holidays with family or to see their parents, but also to tourism professionals who have long awaited this decision. This will help revive Moroccan tourism, which has been hit hard by the health crisis.

Tourism professionals are rubbing their hands. The launch of the 2022 Marhaba operation will allow them to regain good financial health this summer, when many MREs are preparing to join Morocco to spend dream vacations or visit their parents they have not seen for two years due to the health crisis related to Covid-19. A real opportunity for all the links in the tourism value chain (hotels, travel agencies, rental agencies, etc.)

In 2021, the Moroccan National Tourist Office had taken some actions in the direction of the reconquest of this segment, in particular the launch of a communication campaign dedicated to the MREs under its new brand "Ntla9awfbladna" "Centered around a strong promise, the ONMT campaign dedicated to the Moroccan community residing abroad exposes Morocco in all its splendor, through the different immersive experiences offered by the Moroccan destination, their country," the office had explained. The ONMT offers MREs hikes, excursions, scuba diving, hunting, etc.

In preparation for the launch of the 2022 Marhaba operation, important operational arrangements have been defined within the framework of the Moroccan-Spanish joint transit commission, says La MAP. The number of ships mobilized on all the maritime lines connecting the Moroccan ports to the Spanish, French and Italian ports amounts to 32. Their total capacity is around 478,000 passengers and 123,000 cars through 571 weekly trips.

On May 17, Morocco ended the requirement to present a PCR test to enter its territory or leave the kingdom. All these measures herald an effective resumption of tourism activity.

Category: Economy

Keywords:

Tourism Operation Marhaba