Rabat – New data reveals that Morocco’s tourism revenues in foreign currency reached MAD 93.6 billion ($9.2 billion) at the end of 2022.
Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch announced the new figure during a monthly plenary session of oral questions at the parliament, which focused on “national tourism policy,” saying that the new data represents a 119% increase compared to 2019.
Akhannouch emphasized that there is a continuing upward trend in the Moroccan tourism industry, with a 17% increase in tourist arrivals in February 2023 compared to the same period in 2019.
The Head of Government noted that the country’s tourism revenues in foreign currency reached MAD 16 billion ($1.5 billion) in January and February of this year.
The revenues show a recovery rate of 400% compared to the same period in 2022 and a 51% recovery rate compared to the same period in 2019.
Domestic tourism revenues have also increased significantly, he said, mentioning that the number of overnight stays [tourist accommodation] has doubled compared to 2021, exceeding 19 million, which represents an increase of 192%.
“Morocco has experienced a very strong recovery since the opening of the borders in March 2022,” Akhannouch said, noting that between March and December 2022, Morocco received 11 million tourists, a 292% and 391% increase over 2021 and 2020, respectively.
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In just ten months, he continued, the sector had recovered 84% of tourists compared to 2019, a recovery rate that is higher than the global average, which is estimated to be 63%.
“The government attaches particular importance to the sector [tourism] as one of the engines of economic growth and is working to implement an unprecedented recovery plan focused on supporting actors,” Akhannouch said.
Last month, Morocco launched the 2023-2026 roadmap, which aims to develop the country’s tourism sector.
With an allocated funding of MAD 6 billion ($592,4 million), the roadmap aims to attract 17.5 million tourists, generate MAD 120 billion ($11,8 billion) in receipts, and create 200,000 new jobs by 2026.
