Some 3.4 million foreign tourists visited Morocco in the first six months of the current year, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy Fatim-Zahra Ammor said on Tuesday. .
In response to oral questions in the House of Councillors, Fatim-Zahra Ammor pointed out that this number has quadrupled compared to the same period in 2021, and represents 63% of the number of arrivals recorded in 2019.
And to continue that last June, the number of tourists reached 1.14 million, an increase of 5% compared to 2019, adding that the foreign exchange earnings recorded during the first five months of 2022, rose to 20 billion dirhams (MMDH), an increase of 173% compared to 2021, and a recovery rate of 71% compared to 2019. In addition to the emergency plan of 2 billion dirhams intended to support the tourism sector, the The ministry is looking into upgrading the tourist offer in order to meet the requirements of foreign and Moroccan customers, said Fatim-Zahra Ammor.
And to emphasize that the priorities of the ministry are the strengthening of air connectivity to develop international and national tourism, the collaboration with international tour operators to promote the destination Morocco, the organization of an international and national campaign, the development of cultural, natural, ecological tourism and outdoor tourism and the improvement of the quality of services and tourist activities as well as the training of human resources, she noted.
With regard to domestic tourism, the Minister underlined that it plays a major role in the economic and social development of the country and contributes to the creation of jobs and the revitalization of other economic sectors, adding that it is intended to be also an essential condition that guarantees the resilience of the tourism sector in the face of crises.
In this wake, she revealed that according to the surveys carried out, 51% of Moroccan tourists prefer seaside tourism, 58% prefer to travel during school holidays and 60% prefer to travel with family, while 72% are more interested in price of tourist services.
On the basis of these data, she continued, the ministry is currently focusing in particular on establishing a solid foundation for the sustainable development of domestic tourism through the encouragement of investment in domestic tourism. and leisure, the creation of stations offering prices within the reach of all Moroccan tourists and coordination with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to create traveller’s checks capable of alleviating the burden of expenses for the tourist national.
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