Morocco’s Tourism Industry Ranks 7th Most Impacted by COVID-19, UN Report Finds

This ranking took into account 15 countries whose tourism industry has been severely affected by the coronavirus. In the case of Morocco, UNCTAD forecasts a negative variation of 5% of its GDP related to tourism, in a report entitled "covid-19 and tourism: focus on economic consequences".

For the United Nations organization, the loss could reach $2.2 billion or 2.8% of global GDP if the suspension of international tourism lasted (still) 8 months, in line with the expected decline in tourism forecast by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

These losses could also reach $3.3 billion or 4.2% of global GDP with a 12-month interruption of international tourism. One of the direct consequences of the crisis in this sector, marked by the massive drop in tourist arrivals, is the unemployment of a growing number of skilled and unskilled workers. As for the variation in unskilled employment (as a % variation), Morocco would be ranked 9th with a 6% drop for the moderate scenario, 8% for the intermediate and 10% for the spectacular.

As for the salaries of skilled jobs, they would have depreciated by 5% in the moderate scenario for Morocco, thus placing it in 11th position in this category (-7% for the intermediate scenario and -9% for the spectacular). Furthermore, UNCTAD calls on governments to protect workers by strengthening social protection in countries affected by the crisis and thus prevent populations dependent on tourism from suffering too severe economic hardship.