Rabat – Travel agency Atlas Voyages commissioned a detailed survey from the firm Tiqan. The survey took a detailed look at the travel habits of Moroccans.
Tiqan conducted the survey from July 2 to July 10 last year, with a sample of 458 people aged 18 to 60.
When do most Moroccans go on vacation, and where do they go?
When asking how often participants go on vacation, the survey found that just over 50% of respondents leave on vacation every six months, twice a year. Just over 20% travel once a year, and less than 15% three times, every four months.
According to the survey, 98% of respondents said they choose to go on vacation during the summer. Long weekends thanks to public holidays are also a popular time for 28% holidaymakers. 10% of them take the opportunity to go abroad over a three day weekend.
The survey also found that most Moroccans choose to stay close to home for vacations, with only 28% choosing to go abroad. The most popular destinations within Morocco are Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca, and Rabat, Tangier, Fez, and Meknes.
For those who do choose to go abroad, 22% choose Europe, with Spain ranking as the most popular followed by France, and Italy.
Outside of Europe, Turkey is hugely popular, as well as Dubai and Indonesia.
What accommodation do Moroccans choose, and how do they book?
Most respondents prefer to make their travel plans on the fly, with 50% choosing their holiday location one week in advance or less. 28% decide on their destination between one and two weeks in advance, 8%, between 2 and 3 weeks and 9% one month in advance.
According to the survey, the internet is increasingly the primary source of information for vacationers, as well as the primary tool for booking and paying, both for holidays in Morocco and abroad. The most visited sites, in descending order, are Booking.com, Trivago, Avito, Google, Lastminute.com, Jumia Travel, and Airbnb.
The survey found most Moroccans choose to stay in hotels or holiday clubs, followed by apartment rentals or staying with relatives and friends.
Are Moroccans happy with their holidays?
The survey also examined how satisfied Moroccans are with their holidays. 83% of those surveyed say they are completely satisfied with their last vacation, 14% are rather satisfied, 1% undecided, 1% rather dissatisfied, and finally 1% not at all satisfied with their stay.
The most important factors for Moroccans to have a satisfying holiday are beautiful and clean beaches, pleasant climate, good service and food, security, and tranquility, found the survey.
The most common causes of dissatisfaction are lack of security, traffic jams, expensive meals, excessive heat, lack of leisure, and lack of car parks and parking spaces.
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