Significant Growth in Tourism Arrivals
The Marrakech-Safi region has witnessed a remarkable rise in tourist arrivals, recording 3.77 million visitors during the first nine months of 2026. This marks an impressive 9% increase compared to the same period last year, as reported by the Regional Tourism Council (CRT) of Marrakech. This performance underscores the region's importance as one of Morocco's leading tourist destinations, accounting for 24% of the national total.
Accommodation and Revenue Highlights
In terms of accommodation, the region's classified tourist establishments reported over 13.1 million overnight stays, which corresponds to 38% of the country’s total. Specifically, Marrakech alone recorded 11 million overnight stays, reflecting an 8% increase. The surrounding areas of Al Haouz and Essaouira also saw growth, with approximately 1.1 million and nearly 1 million overnight stays respectively, both up by 9%.
Financially, the region generated travel revenues amounting to 42 billion dirhams, representing more than a third of Morocco's total tourism income. The occupancy rate in the Marrakech-Safi region stood at an average of 69%, which is 11 percentage points higher than the national average. Notably, Al Haouz achieved the highest occupancy rate in the country at 75%, followed closely by Marrakech at 72% and Essaouira at 57%.
Enhanced Connectivity and Future Prospects
The Marrakech-Ménara Airport experienced a significant boost in its operations, averaging 798 weekly flights in September 2026, compared to 550 flights during the same period in 2025. This surge translates to about 95 to 105 flights per day, indicating a substantial enhancement in air connectivity.
Hamid Bentahar, the president of the CRT of Marrakech, emphasized the importance of these achievements, stating, "These performances confirm Marrakech and its region as Morocco's leading tourist destination." He extended his congratulations to all stakeholders, both public and private, for their collective efforts. To sustain this growth trajectory, he called for increased investment and expedited structural projects, ensuring that today's successes pave the way for the destination's future.
Moreover, the CRT of Marrakech acknowledged the collaboration of various stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem, including the Council of the Marrakech-Safi region, the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), the Municipality of Marrakech, local authorities, the National Airports Office (ONDA), airlines, professional associations, and sector operators.
As reported by lavieeco.com.
