Record 1.5 Million Moroccan Expats Return Home via Spain for Summer

Between June 15, the start date of the Marhaba Operation, and August 15, some 1,585,693 MREs transited through Spain to reach Morocco, an increase of 10.8% compared to the same period last year. The majority of travelers (901,528) embarked from the port of Algeciras, which absorbed more than 60% of the traffic, an increase of 3.6% compared to 2022, followed by Almeria (17.5%) and Tarifa (10.8%). As for the number of vehicles, it also recorded an increase of 11.7%, reaching 390,736, according to the Interior sources.

The Spanish and Moroccan authorities have worked in good synergy for the success of the Operation. The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) had insisted on the need for travelers to arrive at the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa with a closed ticket, purchased in advance, in order to avoid traffic jams, long queues and delays. Some 519,653 people have already made the return trip from Morocco to Spain, an increase of 2% compared to the same period last year. The Transit Operation ends on September 15.