Rabat – In what marks a significant surge in cross-border travel between Spain and Morocco, this year’s Operation Strait Passage (OPE 2023) has witnessed an impressive record of over 700,000 passengers departing from Spain to North African countries, with Morocco being the primary destination.
The operation, which commenced on June 15 on the Spanish side, ran in parallel with Operation Marhaba, initiated on June 5 on the Moroccan side. As the travel season reaches its peak, the numbers reveal a noticeable increase of 3.8% and 3.3% for passengers and vehicles, respectively, compared to the previous year.
According to official data compiled by Spain’s Civil Protection Agency, as of last Monday, an astounding 732,624 travellers embarked on their journeys from the seven ports involved in Operation Strait Passage. Meanwhile, the number of vehicles that made the journey reached 175,977 during the same period. These figures represent a substantial boost in cross-border travel compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
One striking aspect of this year’s OPE operation is the remarkable increase in vessel rotations, which have amounted to 2,690, indicating an impressive rise of 18.3% compared to the figures from the previous year. According to the Civil Protection Agency, these figures imply that more travellers are choosing sea routes to connect Spain with Morocco, signifying enhanced accessibility and convenience.
Read also: Operation Crossing the Strait Exceeds 700,000 Passengers, 170,000 Vehicles
As the return phase of the operation commenced on July 15, another noteworthy development emerged with 30,483 travellers making their way back from Morocco to Spain, the data showed. This represents a substantial surge of 19.3% compared to the previous year, highlighting a growing trend of people opting for cross-border travel between the two countries.
Similarly, the number of vehicles returning to Spain from Morocco during the summer of 2023 amounted to 8,339, which indicates a substantial increase of 24.6% compared to the figures observed during the same period in 2022.
Operation Strait Passage (OPE) has played a crucial role in facilitating safe and efficient cross-border travel between Spain and Morocco, allowing citizens from both countries to experience the diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes that the region offers.
