Morocco is preparing to set a new record with 16.5 million tourists expected this year. Thus marking an increase of 14% compared to 2023. This was declared by Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, quoted by Bloomberg on October 2, 2024. at the end of August 2024, the country had already welcomed 11.8 million visitors, 1.6 million more than the same period last year.
This performance exceeds initial forecasts by more than two million, positively impacting a sector which contributes 7% of GDP and generates significant foreign exchange for the economy. “Reaching these figures is a major achievement, especially after the crises of recent years,” the minister said at the “Future of Hospitality” conference in Dubai. Morocco is now targeting 26 million tourists by the end of the decade.
In recent years, the sector has benefited from massive support, including 2 billion dirhams to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new roadmap for the period 2023-2026, with a budget of 6.1 billion dirhams, was also approved. It focuses on strengthening the tourism offering, increasing flights, international marketing and training a qualified workforce.
Morocco plans to create 200,000 jobs by 2026 and generate annual revenues of 120 billion dirhams. Europe remains the main source of visitors, but Morocco is looking to diversify its markets by targeting countries like the United States, Canada and China, benefiting from its notoriety with the 2030 World Cup.
The tourism sector also attracts significant investments, reaching $800 million per year, mostly local. In 2024, these investments are expected to increase to $900 million, with initiatives like the “Cap Hospitality” program aiming to renovate 25,000 hotel rooms.
Finally, the United Arab Emirates remains the main foreign investor in this sector, accounting for 26 billion dirhams of investments over the last decade. Marrakech, which concentrates 40% of hotel capacity, is already preparing to host the 2030 World Cup in partnership with Spain and Portugal, while other large cities are also developing to welcome more visitors.
