Record Surge in Moroccan Expats Crossing to North Africa for Annual Homecoming

Since June 15, the start date of the Marhaba Operation, 66,289 Moroccans living abroad and 14,878 vehicles have embarked from Algeciras to Ceuta in 343 rotations, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the same period last year, reports El Pueblo de Ceuta. The Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies has confirmed this influx of Moroccans living abroad on the Algeciras-Ceuta link, which remains the second most used line by them, after the one connecting Algeciras to Tanger-Med.

The Marhaba Operation allows Moroccans from Europe to join Morocco to spend their summer vacation there. It is the largest movement of people between Europe and Africa and strengthens the economic and tourist ties between the two regions, particularly Spain and Morocco. The competent authorities of the two countries work in synergy to ensure the smooth running and safety of the Operation.