Agadir – Morocco welcomed 15.7 million tourists by the end of September 2026, marking a 5% increase compared with the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The increase represents more than 717,000 additional tourist arrivals compared with the first nine months of 2025, the ministry said in a statement.
September alone recorded more than 1.5 million tourist arrivals, up 8% from the same month in 2025.
The ministry said the September performance confirms the continued growth of Morocco’s tourism sector beyond the peak summer period.
“The momentum of Moroccan tourism continues and its long-term potential remains considerable. The target of 26 million tourists by 2030 is closer than ever,” Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said, according to the statement.
“The challenge now is to continue this trajectory by generating more value, jobs and opportunities in all our territories,” she added.
Tourism revenues continue to rise
The latest arrivals figures come after Morocco recorded strong growth in tourism revenues during the first eight months of the year.
The country generated MAD 97.92 billion ($9.94 billion) in tourism revenues between January and August 2026, up 9.7% compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from the Exchange Office.
Tourism revenues have increased by around 81.4% over five years, rising from MAD 53.97 billion ($5.43 billion) in the first eight months of 2022 to MAD 97.92 billion ($9.94 billion) during the same period this year.
The increase in visitor numbers has also supported activity in classified tourist accommodation establishments. These establishments recorded nearly 25.9 million overnight stays by the end of July, up 8% year-on-year.
Ouarzazate recorded the strongest growth in overnight stays at 23%, followed by Rabat at 16% and Agadir at 11%. Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier each recorded a 10% increase.
European markets remain key source of visitors
European markets continued to account for a large share of Morocco’s international arrivals during the first seven months of 2026.
France remained the largest source market, with 3.62 million arrivals, representing 30% of the total and an annual increase of 7%. Spain followed with 2.6 million arrivals, or 21% of the total, although arrivals from the Spanish market declined 3% year-on-year.
The United Kingdom ranked third with 855,523 arrivals, up 5%, while Belgium recorded 834,388 arrivals, an 8% increase. Italy registered 695,149 arrivals, up 5%, while the Netherlands and Germany recorded increases of 8% and 10%, respectively.
Morocco also recorded growth in several non-European markets. US arrivals rose 7% to 308,324, while Canada recorded 155,201 arrivals, up 3%. Poland posted particularly strong growth, with arrivals increasing 31% to 140,172.
Morocco improves tourism development ranking
The growth in arrivals and revenues comes alongside an improvement in Morocco’s position in global tourism development rankings.
Morocco ranked 70th out of 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index, improving by seven positions compared with the previous edition. Its score reached 3.84 out of seven.
The country also ranked eighth among the world’s fastest-improving travel and tourism economies, with its score increasing 5.5% between 2024 and 2026.
With arrivals continuing to rise in 2026, the government is targeting 26 million tourists annually by 2030, while seeking to increase the economic value generated by the sector across Morocco’s regions.
