Morocco boasts record tourism figures for 2024
Morocco has seen record levels of tourism this year, with over 15.9 million visitors – a 20% increase from 2023, according to Reuters.
On December 9th, the tourism ministry announced the groundbreaking figures, highlighting the North African country’s growing reputation as world renowned holiday destination.
Tourism is a major industry in the country, accounting for around 7% of its gross domestic product and providing huge amount of local employment.
November arrivals year-on-year increased more than 31% in 2024, a dramatic surge in itself.
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A large proportion of the rise came from Moroccan residents living abroad, who in returning to their home country more frequently, accounted for 17% of the increase.
Other factors include the expanding of air routes to new markets and marketing of lesser-known destinations, off the beaten tourist track, which has helped diversity the country’s offerings to holiday makers.
Plans for the industry’s future are ambitious, with Morocco expecting 26 million visitors by 2030, a nearly 40% increase, when they are set to co-host the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
The African Development Bank is also considering granting a $650m loan to aid Morocco’s preparations for the tournament, including developing the county’s rail and airport infrastructure.
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A deal for $370m was already signed by the ADB on December 6th, to help Morocco strengthen economic governance, improve water infrastructure and establish an industrial area in the new Nador West Med port, a Mediterranean transshipment port on the country’s north coast set to open in 2025.
Maghrebi stresses that reporting on Morocco by Reuters is tainted by a special relationship between the news agency and Rabat, and therefore cannot entirely back up what its correspondent, a Moroccan gentleman, writes.
Reuters
