Assahafa.com
The Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) celebrated a landmark year for Morocco’s tourism industry at its Board of Directors meeting in Rabat on Monday.
Chaired by Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor, the meeting emphasized the exceptional growth and performance of the sector in 2024.
According to ONMT’s data, Morocco saw a record 15.87 million visitors by the end of November, marking a 20% increase, with tourism revenues soaring to MAD 97 billion.
During the meeting, Head of ONMT Achraf Fayda presented an outlook on the performance made by Morocco’s tourism sector performance.
The sector achieved a growth rate of 19%, higher than the world average of 12% and most competing destinations, ONMT said.
The number of tourists recorded reached 20%, a record for Morocco as a destination while the number of overnight stays skyrocketed by 10% to 24.1 million overnights at the end of October.
“This confirms the tourism sector’s position as one of the country’s most significant sources of foreign currency,” the statement said.
The Minister of Tourism also expressed satisfaction with the industry’s performance, noting that Morocco has achieved record figures thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
“Our tourism roadmap is bearing fruit and we can now enter the year 24 with confidence and determination,” she said.
These positive numbers mean the goal to achieve 17 million tourist arrivals in a couple of years seems reachable for Morocco’s sector.
The goal was to achieve 15 million tourists this year, which the country has surpassed as shown by data compiled by the tourism office.
Citing some of the ONMT’s initiatives, the statement mentions the “Light in Action” plan for this year, focusing on four axes, including marketing, digital tools, and air transportation.
It also recalled the contractual deal that enabled ONMT to secure 11.1 million passengers, representing a 25% increase from 223.
“More than 120 new routes have been launched, bringing the total to 705. These new routes connect 25 markets, 6 more compared to 2023,” the statement added.
It further emphasized how tour operators and travel agencies helped secure over 5.1 million tourists. This represents a 63% increase in the flow of international tourists brought back by ONMT partnerships.
The statement concluded by taking a bet on the more success that 2025 could bring, with the launch of campaigns promoting Morocco as a destination for both international and local tourists.
ONMT seeks to generate 13.3 million seats in terms of air travel through the creation of new airlines and the expansion of connected markets like the US, Canada, and Eastern European countries.
The tourism office also expressed excitement for the 2025 AFCON, which Morocco will host. ONMT sees this as an opportunity to further promote Moroccoas an African destination of excellence.
“An ambitious promotional plan around the CAN 2025 will be launched, using the power of sport to bring people together to position Morocco as the Land of Football and an African Destination of Excellence,” it said.
Source: Morocco word news
