Tourism
From The Report: Morocco 2019
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Morocco is amongst the best-developed tourism markets in Africa, benefitting from its close proximity to Europe, a wide variety of landscapes and attractions, year-round warm weather in parts of the country, and a more stable political and security environment than some of its regional competitors. The years since 2016 have seen healthy rises in tourism arrivals, though over the longer term growth has failed to meet the authorities’ targets, prompting work that is currently under way to revise the national strategy for the sector’s development. New transport infrastructure such as the high-speed train line linking Casablanca to Tangier launched in late 2018, and the development of new hotels in the high-end segment highlight the confidence in the sector felt by private developers and the government. Moreover, growth in local tourism and rising numbers of visitors from emerging source markets further underscores the broadly positive outlook and potential of the industry.

This chapter contains interviews with Mohammed Sajid, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts and Social Economy; and Laila Mechbal, CEO, Air Arabia Maroc.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Great destinations: Hotel developments, local tourism and emerging source markets underpin growth, though many ambitious targets remain
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Morocco is amongst the best developed tourism markets in Africa, benefitting from its close proximity to Europe, a wide variety of landscapes and attractions, year-round warm weather in parts of the country, and a more stable political and security environment than some of its regional competitors. The years since 2016 have seen healthy rises in tourism arrivals, though over the longer term growth has failed to meet the authorities’ targets for the sector, prompting work that is currently…

Analysis

My country: While recent years have seen stronger international visitor numbers, domestic tourism will be key over the long term
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The domestic tourism market has been growing strongly since the beginning of the decade, both in absolute terms as well as in its contribution to the wider industry. Nights spent in tourism accommodation by local residents stood at 7.14m in 2018, up 2% on the previous year’s figures and accounting for 30% of total nights in the kingdom. However, this latter figure was down two percentage points, thanks to a large increase in nights spent by foreign residents. Furthermore, in the first 10…

Interview

Flying high: Mohammed Sajid, Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts and Social Economy, on the growing number of visitors
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Interview:Mohammed Sajid How is the government boosting tourism? MOHAMMED SAJID: In an effort to stimulate Morocco’s tourism sector, the Department of Tourism and its partners have launched a new approach focused on several primary strategic projects. First, there is a push to revive dynamic investment by putting in place an incentivised framework that encourages the promotion and acceleration of tourism investments. Additionally, in coordination with efforts to strengthen air travel connectivity…

Interview

Expanding horizons: Laila Mechbal, CEO, Air Arabia Maroc, on the main trends currently impacting air transport
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Interview:Laila Mechbal What can be done to attract more international airlines to the country? LAILA MECHBAL: Important efforts are being exerted in order to modernise the Moroccan airline sector, both in terms of service delivery and infrastructure. The new terminal extension projects in Nador and Tangiers will definitely contribute to boosting economic development in the north, while the new terminal at the Mohammed V International Airport of Casablanca offers the latest functionalities.…

Overview

Meeting expectations: Security and engagement key to further growth in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry
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Countries and regions across the world have long understood the potential of the MICE segment as a vehicle to drive high-value tourism and economic development. In recent decades this has led to significant investment, with nations working to position themselves as centres for the industry, both regionally and globally, aided by greater air connectivity. At the same time, the industry has been shaped by new technologies and rising security concerns, as well as budget constraints brought on by headwinds like the 2008 global financial crisis and the lower oil price environment that emerged in mid-2014. Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons…

Overview

Meeting expectations: Security and engagement key to further growth in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry
OBG
plus

Countries and regions across the world have long understood the potential of the MICE segment as a vehicle to drive high-value tourism and economic development. In recent decades this has led to significant investment, with nations working to position themselves as centres for the industry, both regionally and globally, aided by greater air connectivity. At the same time, the industry has been shaped by new technologies and rising security concerns, as well as budget constraints brought on by headwinds like the 2008 global financial crisis and the lower oil price environment that emerged in mid-2014. Nonetheless, there are plenty of reasons…