Rabat – Morocco and Saudi Arabia signed on Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aiming to boost bilateral cooperation in tourism.
Through the MoU, the two countries hope to strengthen cooperation in tourism with the aim of supporting the sector to attract more investments. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the 117th Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Marrakech.
The deal aims to “strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector and synchronize efforts to achieve sustainable development of the tourism industry in both countries,” according to an official statement quoted in converging news reports.
In addition to tackling issues of sustainability and investments within the sector, the MoU covers the exchange of expertise between the Gulf country and Morocco.
Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor said: “This Memorandum of Understanding between Morocco and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia illustrates a common vision between the two countries and marks a turning point in our cooperation in the tourism sector.”
Ammor added that the MoU “will give rise to more joint initiatives, sharing of experiences and best practices, and will enable both countries to promote their tourism sectors and thus optimize their potential in this industry.”
On his part, Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb insisted that the two countries share a “common commitment” to preserve their rich cultural heritages and natural sites, while putting young talent at the center of development plans.
“Sustainability is at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions and by working with like-minded partners such as Morocco, we hope to strengthen the sector not only in the region but also globally, to make tourism more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient for people and communities,” he explained.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest foreign investors in Morocco. In 2020, foreign investments from Saudi Arabia in Morocco reached $26.6 million.
The Gulf country’s investments in the north African country are largely concentrated in real estate, agriculture, and tourism.
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