Morocco’s Tourists Flow Increased by 34 % by End of 2021

The Department of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF) said Morocco’s tourists flow increased by 34% by the end of 2021.

Rabat – The Department of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF) said Morocco’s tourists flow increased by 34% by the end of 2021.

The number of tourist entries shows a significant change compared to a 78.5% decline in tourism flow in 2020.

Compared to the end of 2019, tourism arrivals dropped by 71.2%, the DEPF said.

Overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments increased by 51.1% during December even with the suspension of passenger flights to and from Morocco.

At the end of 2021, the overnight stays increased by 31.8%. Despite the increase, the overnight stays remained down by 63.6% compared to the level recorded at the end of 2019.

Tourism revenues also dropped by 6.9% in the fourth quarter of 2021 after an increase of 203.2% in the third quarter of 2021 after the closure of national borders at the end of November.

Revenues of tourism were estimated at MAD 34.3 billion by the end of 2021, down by 6% compared to the end of 2020 and 56.5% in 2019.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the tourism sector maintained a gradual recovery that started in the second quarter despite the closure of national air borders.

“These results remain far from the level of growth before the crisis,” DEPF said.

The DEPF finds that the reopening of national borders is giving a boost to the tourism sector.

Morocco’s government approved a five-measure emergency plan in January worth MAD 2 billion ($216 million) to support the country’s COVID-hit tourism industry.

The fund includes MAD 1 billion that will directly benefit tourism establishments affected by the COVID repercussions.