Morocco Welcomes 2.9 Million Tourists in First Quarter of 2023

Rabat – Morocco recorded more than 2.9 million tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2023, showing a 238% growth compared to the end of March 2022, according to the country’s Tourism Observatory.

Data compiled by the observatory attributed the upward trend to an increase in international tourist arrivals by 334% as well as Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) by 167%.

Tourist arrivals increased by 17% compared to the first quarter of 2019, While MRE arrivals went up by 47%.

By source markets, Spain and the UK recorded significant increases of 45% and 28% respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2019.

The US and Italy also saw increases of 5% and 9% respectively.

Meanwhile, the German, Dutch and Belgian markets saw significant declines compared to the first quarter of 2019. German and Dutch arrivals decreased by 39% and 34% respectively, while ones from Belgium also went down by 28%.

Morocco has long been a sought-after travel destination, drawing in more and more tourists each year. The country’s unique culture, rich history, and stunning landscapes have contributed to its growing popularity.

The surge in tourist arrivals to Morocco this year can also be partly attributed to the country’s success story at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The tournament was a source of pride for the Moroccan people, as the country’s team became the first African and Arab team to make the semi-finals.

The success shone a spotlight on the country’s many attractions, which in turn piqued the interest of potential travelers.

As a result of this increased attention, Morocco’s tourism industry has been booming, especially in popular hot spots like Marrakech.

At present, the city is teeming with visitors, with tourism activities frequently being booked out two or three days in advance, or even weeks sometimes.

Additionally, Morocco continues to launch several initiatives to boost its tourism sector.

In March 2023, the country allocated MAD 6 Billion ($595 million) to develop the tourism sector as part of its 2023-2026 roadmap.

The roadmap aims to attract 17.5 million tourists, generate MAD 120 Billion ($12 billion) in receipts and create 200,000 new jobs by 2026.

Morocco’s National Tourism Office (ONMT) seeks to position Morocco among the world’s top 10 destinations through its newly developed 2023-2026 action plan titled “Light in Action.”