Rabat – Morocco recorded an impressive 52% rise in tourism receipts – a measure of expenditures by international inbound visitors.
According to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the tourism industry in Morocco experienced a significant boost in the first quarter of 2023, with arrivals and tourism receipts surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
In a report released earlier this month, the UNWTO shows that the country witnessed a remarkable 17% increase in arrivals compared to the first quarter of 2019, reaching a peak in February.
The surge in tourism highlights the country’s allure and its successful efforts to attract visitors from around the globe. From the mesmerizing landscapes of the Atlas Mountains to the vibrant markets of Marrakech, Morocco’s diverse cultural heritage and natural beauty continue to captivate travelers.
The results of the UNWTO report echo the data from Morocco’s tourism ministry indicating that the country saw an influx of four million tourists in the first four months of 2023, an increase of 13% compared to 2019.
At the end of March 2023, tourism revenues reached MAD 25 billion ($2.4 billion), 51% higher compared to 2019, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said on May 16.
Thanks to an emergency budget of MAD 2 billion ($200 million), Morocco has succeeded, for the first time, in reaching MAD 93 billion ($9.2 billion) in tourist revenues in 2022, 16% higher compared to 2019, she explained.
The tourism sector in Morocco is of strategic importance as it is a major source of foreign currency and supports around 565,000 jobs as of 2022.
In recent years, the government has been working to boost Morocco’s potential to host tourism activities by developing infrastructure and expanding tourism offerings.
The country’s most recent plan to boost tourism is the 2023-2026 roadmap, a MAD 6.1 billion ($606 million) venture, aiming to attract 17.5 million tourists and reposition tourism as a basic sector of the national economy.
The plan also aims to generate MAD 120 billion ($11.9 billion) of foreign exchange earnings and create 200,000 new direct and indirect jobs.
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