Morocco Tourism Surges: Minister Unveils Plan to Sustain Record Growth

The indicators are green. The number of arrivals at border posts stood at 6.5 million during the first 6 months of 2023 (1.4 million tourists in June), an increase of 21% compared to the same period in 2019, according to data from the Tourism Observatory. Result: tourism revenues reached 40.6 billion dirhams at the end of May 2023 against 28.5 billion for the same period in 2019. "Tourism is doing well in Morocco," rejoices Fatim-Zahra Ammor, who does not intend to rest on her laurels, however. She wants to accelerate the implementation of the 2023-2026 tourism roadmap, whose objectives are to reach 17.5 million tourists and 120 billion in foreign exchange earnings over the next three years.

Priority will be given to domestic tourism. During an exchange on the tourism situation in Morocco and the ministry’s vision for the development of the sector, the minister specified that domestic tourism accounts for 42% of the nights recorded, but the accommodation offer is not sufficient to meet the growing demand, especially during the summer season when demand reaches very high levels. "But what is even more lacking is the product adapted to this demand," she explains to the website Le Matin, assuring that her department is working to "increase the capacity in terms of apartments".

Based on the observation that only 8 million nights are recorded in the country’s classified tourist accommodation establishments, while less than 22 million nights escape the formal circuit, Fatim-Zahra Ammor indicated that there is a need to structure the existing offer through the decree implementing Law No. 80.14 on tourist establishments and other forms of tourist accommodation, adopted more than 7 years ago. Adopted by the Council of Government, this decree will regulate other forms of accommodation such as aparthotels, home stays, Airbnbs, campsites, gîtes, bivouacs, etc.

Rural tourism will not be left behind. The ministry also plans to strengthen the offer in accommodation and tourist products to meet the growing demand for this type of tourism, on the one hand, and to encourage travel throughout the year, on the other hand, whether for national or international travelers. Particular attention will be paid to the camping offer. "We want to work on this offer which is first of all a more sustainable offer. And we want to work on all categories. We are at work with world-renowned operators specialized in this type of product," announced the minister, also stating that training adapted to market needs will be put in place.