Morocco’s Tourism Sector Loses 4.5 Billion Dirhams in January Amid Ongoing Pandemic

In its March 2021 economic note, the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF) of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Administrative Reform, indicated that the tourism sector of the kingdom lost 4.5 billion dirhams (MMDH) in January 2021, with a 78.9% drop in arrivals to the Moroccan destination at the end of November 2020 and a 72.3% drop in overnight stays, compared to increases of 5.3% and 5.2% in 2020.

Furthermore, with the recent data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reporting the emergence of new variants of the coronavirus, several governments are concerned about the easing of travel restrictions. Thus, at the beginning of February, out of a total of 69 countries, including 30 in Asia-Pacific, 15 in Europe, 11 in Africa, 10 in the Americas and 3 in the Middle East, 32% of destinations worldwide are completely closed to international tourism. Among the 69 countries, 38 destinations have been closed for nearly 40 weeks, not to mention that currently, 34% of destinations worldwide are closed to international tourists.