Morocco’s Tourism Industry Plummets: 51% Revenue Drop Amid Pandemic

Morocco recorded only 142,000 tourists, a drop of 82% compared to the same period last year. The majority of arrivals were Moroccans living abroad. During the peak summer season, the decline was 98% among foreign tourists and 56% among residents.

Speaking of job losses, more than 35% of tourism workers have lost their jobs and incomes. According to a survey, revenues have fallen by an average of 80% in Moroccan tourism companies. In addition, the Moroccan airspace remained closed, apart from a few exceptional flights to which tourists with a hotel reservation were admitted.

Moreover, Morocco’s tourism revenues fell by 33.2% during the first six months of 2020, equivalent to a loss of 11.1 billion dirhams, not to mention that the tourism sector recorded a 7% drop in value added in the first quarter of 2020, according to the Department of Studies and Financial Forecasts of Morocco (DEPF) in its new report. Compared to a 2.9% increase recorded in the first quarter of 2019, the difference represents a decline in terms of turnover. Thus, the Kingdom’s tourism revenues fell by 71.7% in the second quarter of 2020, which is a loss of 11.8 billion dirhams.