Tourism recovery in 2022 exceeds 2019 level, ministry

Tourism in Morocco has rebounded beyond expectations, and has recovered to pre-2019 levels, figures from the Ministry of Economy and Finance show.

Tourism revenues increased by 150 percent on an annual basis, to reach 62.2 billion dirhams at the end of the first nine months of the current year, which represents a recovery rate of 103.5 percent compared to the same period in 2019.

In the third quarter of the current year, revenues reached a record high of 34.8 billion dirhams, recording a recovery rate of 130 percent compared to the same period in 2019.

Incoming tourist in September alone amounted to about 900,000 foreign tourists, exceeding levels recorded in September 2019 by about 1 percent, and between June and September of the current year by 93%.

The first nine months of the current year saw the number of foreign tourists who flocked to Morocco reached about 7.7 million, while overnight stays in classified hotel establishments amounted to 13.3 million nights, representing a recovery rate of 76 percent and 69 percent, respectively, compared to 2019.

The tourism sector plays an important role in the national economy. It provides important jobs and supports the country’s balance of hard currency.

The sector has benefited from a support program approved by the government during the current year, with a financial cover of 2 billion dirhams.