Morocco’s Tourism Revenue Plummets 60% Amid Pandemic, Arrivals Down 63%

In the first quarter, the sector experienced a 7% decline in its value added compared to a 2.9% increase in 2019, according to the latest statistics. During the deconfinement, the crisis continued and led to a significant decline in revenues, which accumulated a 71% drop in the 2nd quarter, or a loss of 11 billion DH. In six months, this decline stood at 33.2%, or 11 billion DH, notes Actueco.

As for tourist arrivals, they experienced a 63% drop at the end of June compared to 59% for overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments. In June, however, the number of overnight stays reached 68,199, a 97% drop in one year. For DEPF analysts, the sector should see an improvement in its situation in the very near future, particularly in terms of domestic tourism with the relaunch of the sector also favored by the resumption of domestic flights on June 25.

As for the withdrawal of the flow of international arrivals, it should be between 60 and 80%, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). As a result, it should lead to a decline in global tourism spending estimated between $800 and $1,000 billion, or -60% compared to the previous year. In a note on the economic situation, DEPF reported that the impact of this crisis for 2020 in Morocco is equivalent to a 69% drop in tourist arrivals, 60% in foreign exchange earnings and around 50% in employment.

The government, through its Minister of Tourism, has developed a program contract, signed on August 3, 2020 for the benefit of the sector. This covers the period 2020-2022 and aims to inject new momentum, thanks to its 21 measures to support its recovery and transformation, through three main objectives, namely, preserving the economic fabric and employment, accelerating the restart phase and laying the foundations for a sustainable transformation of the sector.