Report: Morocco slips in global travel ranking, despite growth in tourism

Morocco has slipped 12 places to 82nd out of 119 countries in its ranking in the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024.

Despite tourism being a cornerstone of Morocco’s economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange and job creation, the country’s overall score of 3.64 indicates an average performance that is below the global average. 

While Morocco excels in cultural resources and price competitiveness, making it an attractive destination for cultural tourists, the report says that it struggles with infrastructure deficiencies and a lack of commitment to environmental sustainability.

The report notes the importance of improving transportation infrastructure and tourism services, as well as adopting more sustainable practices to improve Morocco’s tourism sector and elevate its global standing.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, the United Arab Emirates is the top performer, ranking 18th globally. Egypt followed closely at 61st, while Saudi Arabia made the most significant improvement, climbing nine places to 41st.

Morocco’s neighbors, Tunisia and Algeria, also faced similar challenges, ranking 83rd and 98th, respectively. This is due to the common infrastructural and sustainability issues plaguing North African countries.

Globally, the United States topped the index, followed by Spain, Japan, and France. These countries boast advanced infrastructure, cultural diversity, and innovative tourism experiences. 

Spain, for example, leverages its rich cultural and natural resources, coupled with sustainable tourism policies. 

These countries’ economic strength, technological innovation, and advanced air connectivity have also been instrumental in boosting their rankings.

At the bottom of the list, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon faced significant challenges, including poor infrastructure, security instability, and a lack of supportive tourism policies. 

These factors have hindered these countries ability to attract tourists and limit the sector’s contribution to their economies.

However, this ranking is at odds with Morocco’s reported touristic growth. In the first 10 months of 2024, Morocco welcomed 14.6 million tourists, surpassing the total number of visitors recorded in 2023.

Regarding revenues, the tourism sector generated $8.7 billion in the first ten months of 2024, marking 8.4% growth compared to 2023.

The tourism sector has also shown consistent growth in recent years, with revenues surpassing $10 billion for the first time in 2023, following the arrival of 14.5 million tourists.