Morocco's Tourism Sector Undergoes Strategic Evaluation
In a significant move aimed at bolstering its tourism industry, the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social Economy has announced the official commencement of an evaluation process for the strategic roadmap of the tourism sector spanning from 2023 to 2026. This evaluation is a precursor to the development of a more ambitious and proactive roadmap for the period extending from 2027 to 2030. Minister of Tourism, Jalala Cherraf, made this declaration during a recent discussion regarding the ministry's budget for the upcoming year. He emphasized the importance of engaging in dialogue with industry professionals and stakeholders to ensure that all voices are heard in shaping the future of tourism in Morocco.
During a session of the Production Sectors Committee in the House of Representatives, Minister Cherraf highlighted the strategic significance of the tourism sector in Morocco's economy, which has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years. He pointed out that the number of tourists visiting Morocco surged to 20 million in 2025, a sharp increase from 13 million in 2019. The minister expressed optimism that this figure could rise to nearly 21 million by the end of 2026, reflecting the sector's recovery and growth potential.
Moreover, the minister noted that between 2010 and 2019, Morocco received an additional 3.6 million tourists, while the period from 2019 to 2025 saw an increase of 7 million additional tourists. This remarkable growth indicates a doubling of tourist arrivals, despite the shorter time frame for the latter period.
In terms of accommodation, the sector recorded 43.4 million overnight stays in classified hotels in 2025, compared to 25.2 million in 2019. The number of direct jobs in the tourism sector reached 894,000, marking an increase of approximately 92,000 jobs from 2022 to 2025. Additionally, tourism revenues in foreign currency soared to 138 billion dirhams in 2025, up from 78.6 billion dirhams in 2019. The sector's contribution to Morocco's gross domestic product also rose to 7.5%, compared to 7.1% in 2019.
On the international front, Minister Cherraf pointed out the consistent improvement in Morocco's tourism ranking, noting a growth rate of 6% in the first half of 2026, outperforming countries like Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Croatia, and Tunisia. This performance is particularly noteworthy given the global challenges and conflicts affecting various regions. However, Cherraf acknowledged that the growth rate remains below levels achieved in previous years.
Furthermore, the minister referenced a United Nations report ranking the top 20 tourist destinations by growth in international tourism revenue, indicating that Morocco jumped from 18th place in 2025 to 8th place globally when comparing the first half of 2026 to the same period in the previous year.
As for 2026 indicators, the minister revealed that Morocco welcomed 17.4 million tourists by the end of October, representing a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Overnight stays totaled 34.8 million from January to September, reflecting a 7% year-on-year growth. Tourism revenues in hard currency reached 115.3 billion dirhams, marking a 12% increase compared to the same timeframe last year.
Minister Cherraf linked the rise in tourism revenues to higher spending patterns among visitors, noting that tourists in 2026 spent more than those in the previous year, aligning with Morocco's goal of attracting high-spending tourists. He compared the tourism models of France and the United States, highlighting that France attracts around 100 million tourists annually with revenues of $370 billion, while the United States draws approximately 70 million tourists with revenues of $2.8 trillion each year. Cherraf attributed this disparity to the nature of stays and spending habits, emphasizing Morocco's aspiration to adopt a model that attracts high-spending tourists akin to the American experience.
As reported by hespress.com.
