The evolution of tourist arrivals in Morocco is experiencing remarkable growth during this beginning of the year with 5.1 million tourist arrivals at the end of May 2023, i.e. a growth of 20% compared to the same period of 2019, affirms the Ministry of Tourism. , Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy.
For years now, Morocco has quickly become aware of the importance of the tourist fabric, whether economically or for the promotion of Moroccan heritage and culture abroad.
The advent of the pandemic has certainly hindered this development on an international scale, the number of tourists arriving in Morocco having decreased by 79% in 2020 and 71% in 2021 compared to 2019, which represents a loss enormous estimated at 90 billion dirhams in terms of the country’s hard currency income. However, Morocco quickly caught up after the end of the crisis by putting in place a national strategy and an ambitious roadmap allowing it to reach record figures.
It is important to remember that the year 2019 is considered, until then, as the reference year for the sector. However, by posting double-digit growth, 2023 promises to be a breakthrough year for Moroccan tourism.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, tourist arrivals in Morocco reached 5.1 million at the end of May 2023, an increase of 20% compared to the reference year. The month of May, meanwhile, stands out with record growth of 55% with 1.1 million arrivals compared to 2019.
This positive trend has a positive impact on tourist receipts, which in turn reached 32 billion dirhams at the end of April 2023, i.e. 40% more than 2019.
Several major issuing markets are driving this growth, notably the Spanish, British, Israeli and Italian markets, which recorded growth of 46%, 29%, 158% and 10% respectively.
Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy is delighted: “We are very proud of these achievements, which are the result of the MAD 2 billion emergency plan that the government has put in place to support professionals in 2022 and enable them in particular to upgrade the hotel offer, with numerous actions offensives that we lead in terms of air transport, promotion and referencing of Morocco with major Tour Operators, as well as the dynamism of operators in the sector”.
“Without forgetting of course the feat of the Atlas Lions which propelled our country to the forefront of the international scene”, she added.
Indeed, the success of the Atlas Lions at the World Cup in Qatar gave a boost to the sector and made Morocco known worldwide. The Kingdom has also become one of the preferred destinations for tourists thanks to its cultural heritage, its dazzling landscapes, the hospitality of its people, but also to the government strategy which has enabled the development of these assets.