Morocco has set itself the goal of attracting more than 17.5 million tourists by 2026 and 26 million tourists by 2030, thus further stimulating its economy and showcasing its unique cultural heritage in the world.
The Moroccan tourism industry has made notable progress, positioning the country ten ranks higher in the global ranking of tourism revenue established by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Between 2019 and 2023, Morocco moved from 41st to 31st place, illustrating the vitality and resilience of the sector as well as the effectiveness of the strategies adopted by the Ministry of Tourism in recent years.
This exceptional progression, one of the most notable among the top 50 global destinations, is in line with the objectives of the 2023-2026 tourism roadmap. This strategic plan aims to continuously strengthen this dynamic, with the ambition of generating 120 billion dirhams (12 billion dollars) in foreign exchange earnings by 2026. To achieve this objective, the action plan is based on two main axes : increase the number of visitors to 17.5 million tourists by 2026 and diversify the national tourism offer.
The attractiveness of Morocco as a destination continues to intensify, with 13.1 million visitors recorded at the end of September 2024, an increase of around two million compared to the same period in 2023. The month of September alone welcomed 1.3 million tourists, marking a 33% increase from the previous year.
Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor attributes this success to targeted efforts, increased air connections, sustained promotional campaigns, as well as the development of modern infrastructure and attractive tourism experiences. The “Country Brand Ranking/Tourism Edition 2024-2025” report from Bloom Consulting has positioned Morocco in second place in the ranking of African destinations, ahead of South Africa for the first time. This report highlights Morocco's progress in social media engagement, online performance and overall destination attractiveness, as well as its resilience in the face of challenges like the devastating September 2023 earthquake.
Morocco's tourism revenue also reached unprecedented levels, totaling 17 billion dirhams ($1.74 billion) in August, an increase of almost 20% compared to the previous year. Overall revenue for the first eight months of 2024 amounts to more than $7.83 billion, confirming the sector's exceptional recovery since the COVID-19 crisis.
The number of overnight stays at classified tourist establishments exceeded 15.35 million in the first seven months of 2024, up 8% from the previous year, while international tourism jumped 13%, reaching 10.9 million visitors in July.
With continued diversification and constant enrichment of its tourism offering, Morocco is positioning itself to maintain this impressive growth and consolidate its status as a leading global tourist destination. Equipped with a clear roadmap and effective strategies, Morocco aims to welcome more than 17.5 million tourists by 2026 and 26 million by 2030, thus contributing to economic dynamism and the enhancement of its unique cultural heritage.
RT/the/APA
