Rabat – Morocco’s tourism industry has witnessed a significant resurgence, with tourism revenues soaring by an impressive 32.5 percent during the first eight months of this year compared to the same period last year. This surge has been largely attributed to the influx of visitors during the summer months.
According to data from the monthly report of the Office des Changes on foreign trade indicators, tourism revenues for the initial eight months of this year reached a staggering 71.36 billion dirhams ($6.9 billion). The summer season, in particular, played a pivotal role in this remarkable growth, with July and August contributing approximately 23.56 billion dirhams ($2.2 billion) to the total, Morocco state media reported.
The report from the Office des Changes revealed that tourism revenues at the end of August surpassed levels observed during the same period in the past four years. This surge in tourism income is a testament to Morocco’s resilience in the face of global challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Abdellatif Jouahri, speaking at a recent press conference held by Bank Al-Maghrib, expressed optimism about the country’s tourism prospects. He stressed that the successful summer season, coupled with the expected impact of upcoming international events hosted by Morocco, will further boost tourism revenues. Bank Al-Maghrib predicts a substantial 23.4 percent increase in tourism revenues for the entire year, reaching a projected total of 115.5 billion dirhams ($11.1 billion).
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Morocco has implemented a strategic plan aimed at further boosting its tourism sector. The ambitious plan includes attracting 17.5 million tourists by 2026, generating approximately 200,120 direct and indirect employment opportunities, and achieving hard currency revenues of 93 billion dirhams ($9 billion) for the sector, a significant leap from the figures reported last year.
These impressive tourism revenue figures underscore Morocco’s growing popularity as a tourist destination and its commitment to becoming a top global tourism hub. With a successful summer behind it and a promising outlook for the remainder of the year, Morocco is well on its way to achieving its ambitious tourism goals.
