The travel and tourism industry is growing around the world at a time when it is difficult to build momentum for a sustainable and resilient future. In this sense, the OECD analyzes tourism trends and policies. The 2024 edition of the report focuses on the latest tourism performances of 50 OECD countries, including Morocco. This is how the Kingdom is implementing important reforms to encourage private investment and boost tourism.
In a report on Tourism Trends and Policies, published on October 10, 2024, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development analyzes the latest tourism performance and policy trends in 50 OECD countries and partner economies. The report takes stock of the recovery of the post-covid tourism economy and highlights the need for coordinated and forward-looking policies, at a time when the challenges of creating momentum for a more resilient future, sustainable and inclusive for the sector remain.
Read also: Moroccan coastal tourism threatened by climate change
In June 2015, Morocco established a strategic partnership with the OECD, culminated by the signing of a Country Program. Currently, Morocco is one of four states with a Country Program with the OECD alongside Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Peru. This partnership aims to support the Moroccan reform process, to promote its appropriation of good practices and to advance its status in the various OECD Instruments.
The tourism sector is one of the main drivers of the Moroccan economy. It is a strategic sector for the economic and social development of the country. The supervisory ministry exercises dual responsibility at the national and regional level through its decentralized services. The department oversees the management of regional public services, as well as the implementation of public policies and engages in the development and execution of tourism-related programs and projects at the regional level.
Tourism sector roadmap 2023-26
Data from the report shows that Morocco’s tourism policy is guided by the Tourism Sector Roadmap 2023-26, a strategic plan that aims to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the national economy and foster a resilient integrated industry. This ambitious policy, launched in 2023, is supported by a colossal amount of 6.1 billion dirhams and will be implemented between 2023 and 2026, according to the OECD.
This strategy marks a paradigm shift from a destination-centric approach to a customer experience-focused model.
In order to implement the priorities identified in the 2023-26 roadmap, Morocco has launched a number of initiatives, including the GO SIYAHA program, which will be launched in February 2024. The program aims to support 1,700 tourism businesses by 2026 with a total budget of 720 million dirhams. GO SIYAHA consists of three sub-programs aimed at promoting growth in specific sectors, thus creating an ecosystem of innovative, dynamic and environmentally friendly tourism businesses, according to the same source.
How many tourists visited Morocco in 2024?
The Ministry of Tourism, Crafts and Social Economy announced that Morocco welcomed 13.1 million tourists during the last nine months of 2024, a record compared to previous years. This tourist dynamic marks the appeal of Morocco as a tourist destination of choice, meeting the expectations of both the Moroccan diaspora and international travelers.
Over one year, the number of foreign tourists increased by 41%, and represented 49% of overall arrivals, marking a triple record. Moroccans residing abroad (MRE) made up 51% of total arrivals, a figure which increased by 27% over one year.
Currently, the macroeconomic situation in Morocco is stable, the public deficit is reducing following the pandemic and the energy crisis and the public debt ratio is around 70% of GDP.
Let us remember, Morocco is one of the four States with a Country Program with the OECD alongside Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Peru. Knowing that these programs were established by the OECD in 2013.
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