Rabat – Morocco continues to see an increase in tourist arrivals, with the latest figures from the tourism ministry indicating that the north African country attracted 2.9 million tourists in the first quarter of 2023.
The recent tourist arrivals represent an increase of 17% compared to the same period in 2019, according to a statement issued by Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism, Handicraft, and Social and Solidarity.
Data compiled by the ministry attributed the upward trend to the growth in outbound tourism markets, including the Spanish, British, Italian and American markets which have grown by 45%, 28%, 9% and 5% respectively.
“Tourism in Morocco continues its rise to levels never seen before, as evidenced by the exceptional figures recorded at the end of March 2023,” the ministry highlighted in its statement.
Recalling the various initiatives it carried out with Morocco’s National Tourism Office (ONMT) to boost tourism, the Ministry vowed to redouble efforts toward improving marketing and reinforcing air connectivity throughout 2023.
ONMT seeks to position Morocco among the world’s Top 10 destinations through its newly developed 2023-2026 action plan called “Light in Action.”
The office’s action plan focuses on improving four pillars: marketing, airline, digital, and distribution.
The tourism office’s action plan is part of Morocco’s 2023-2026 tourism roadmap, which was launched on March 17 by Tourism Minister Fatim Zahra Ammor.
The roadmap aims to attract 17.5 million tourists and create 200,000 new jobs by 2026.
At the end of February this year, Morocco received 1.9 million visitors, representing a 464% rise over the same period in 2022, according to the country’s Tourism Observatory.
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