Morocco’s Tourism Numbers Questioned as Opposition Claims Inflated Figures

"You are announcing a record of 17.4 million tourists, when 50% of them are MREs who visit their families two to three times a year," denounced the opposition MPs (MP, USFP, PPS, PJD). While acknowledging the government’s efforts to make Morocco an essential tourist destination, they pointed out a number of shortcomings. "It’s true, tourism has risen from the ashes after the Covid crisis in 2019, but the major element that boosted tourism is Morocco’s participation in the World Cup in Qatar," said Ahmed Abadi, a deputy of the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), to Le360.

"Except for the 2 billion dirhams paid by the government to the tourism sector after the Covid-19 crisis, we have not found any trace of the Executive, apart from some infrastructure," deplored this opposition deputy. "The government’s vision on the need to develop this sector is clear and realistic. Tourism is dynamic and productive," said Aziz Akhannouch, the Head of Government, for his part. Not convinced by these remarks, Ahmed Abadi reacted by stressing that tourism "is heavily taxed", while domestic tourism is marked by "high inflation" and "only interests when international tourism is not working".

For his part, Aziz Lebar, a deputy of the Party of Authenticity and Modernity (PAM), the majority party, asked for the construction of a highway and a high-speed line (LGV) between Tangier and Fez.