Rabat – Domestic tourism in Morocco is booming, with 30 million overnight stays recorded, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor has revealed.
Speaking to Parliament on Monday, Ammor called Moroccan tourists “top clients” and noted that domestic tourism is “an engine for jobs, local growth, and regional development.”
But there is a catch. The minister flagged seasonal demand as a key challenge, explaining that demand often exceeds supply during summer holidays.
But she reassured that Morocco has plans to change this trend, stressing: “Domestic tourism is a key focus in the new strategy for the sector.”
Ammor announced a fresh approach to keep domestic tourism abuzz all year long.
Under this plan, seaside tourism and nature & expeditions are the two big focus areas that will shape news offerings to meet the needs of Moroccan travellers.
Ammor outlined five key steps. The first is to provide more affordable, family-friendly stays, including home-sharing options at lower costs.
The second is to put in place faster air travel links between Moroccan cities and discover hidden gems in remote areas.
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The third is to build bigger tourist attractions. Some projects are already underway including Azilal’s DinoParc, eco-resorts in Oukaïmeden and Khénifra, and natural parks in Ifrane, Toubkal, and Souss-Massa.
To promote domestic tourism, the ministry is going to set up a media campaign titled “Netla9aw f’bladna” (Let’s Meet in Our Country), to kindle in Moroccans the desire to explore their homeland and discover faraway regions.
The program will also include training programs to level up local guides for city tours, nature trails, and outdoor adventures.
At the international level, the 2023-2026 roadmap set up by the ministry is paying off. By the end of September 2023, more than 13 million foreign tourists arrived in Morocco – up by 2 million from the previous year.
Tourism revenues reached MAD 17 billion ($1.74 billion) by August 2024 – a 20 per cent increase from the previous year.
In addition, the sector brought in over $7.83 billion between January and August, while overnight stays in hotels exceeded 15.83 million.
Morocco hopes to receive more than 17.5 million visitors in 2026 and 26 million in 2030. The government has mapped out strategies to build world-class attractions, extend travel links, and promote Morocco’s rich cultural heritage abroad.
