Morocco’s Tourism Industry Loses $1.1 Billion as COVID-19 Slashes Arrivals by 63%

Tourist arrivals fell by 63% at the end of June 2020 and overnight stays in accommodation establishments by 59%. For the month of June, the number of overnight stays stood at 68,199, a 97% drop in one year, says the DEPF, adding that a more favorable, although modest, evolution is expected in the coming months, due to the relaunch of the local tourism market with health measures allowing, in a first step, the operation of only 50% of accommodation capacities, combined with the resumption of domestic flights in the Kingdom from the same date.

For the year 2020, the decline in international tourist arrivals is estimated by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) between 60% and 80%. The immediate consequence is a drop in global tourism spending between $800 and $1,000 billion, or 60% compared to 2019.

In Morocco, the estimated impact of this crisis for the year 2020 shows a 69% drop in tourist arrivals, a 60% drop in foreign exchange earnings, and about 50% job losses.

To limit the negative impact of this crisis on the tourism sector and accelerate its recovery, a program contract covering the period 2020-2022 was signed on August 3rd. Public and private actors at the national and regional level are associated with it in order to regain the pre-crisis performance.