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Rabat – Morocco’s tourism industry is riding high after a record-breaking 2023, and the North African nation is setting its sights even higher with the co-hosting rights for the 2030 FIFA World Cup looming on the horizon.
With over 14.5 million tourists visiting the country in 2023, Morocco surpassed pre-pandemic levels and generated a staggering 10 billion euros in revenue.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, France remains the top source in the market, accounting for over 34% of visitors. This success is attributed to a strategic investment of 600 million euros by the Moroccan government, showcasing their commitment to the tourism sector’s growth.
However, Morocco’s ambitions extend beyond immediate gains. The co-hosting bid for the 2030 World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal, presents a “huge opportunity for tourism,” Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor said in a keynote speech at the The Syndicat des Entreprises du Tour Operating (SETO) forum in Rabat.
The annual forum of The SETO brought together 150 tourism professionals from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 April 2024 in Rabat.
“This event will consolidate all ongoing plans and projects,” echoed Adel El Fakir, director of the Moroccan National Tourism Office at the SETO forum.
The World Cup serves as a massive marketing tool, with Morocco’s impressive performance in the 2022 tournament already generating significant interest among potential visitors. The prospect of hosting this global spectacle is driving infrastructure investments in accommodation, roads and airports.
SETO recently selected Morocco and its capital Rabat to host its 14th Forum, emphasizing on the country’s status as a preferred destination among tour operators.
Also at the forum, René-Marc Chikli, president of the Syndicate, and Hervé Tilmont, general manager, voiced in a speech their unwavering support for Moroccofollowing the seismic event that shook Marrakech on September 8th, highlighting the resilience of the nation’s tourism sector.
The country’s rich cultural tapestry, stunning landscapes, and growing tourism infrastructure position it to welcome a surge of international visitors in the coming years.
