Summer season.. Minister of Tourism: “July 2024 was an exceptional month.”
Heba Press
The Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatima Zahraa Ammor, confirmed that the tourism sector in Morocco recorded good results during this year’s summer season.
In an interview with the Maghreb Arab Press, Amour explained: “Even if we are still at the stage of strengthening all the indicators, the preliminary data for the 2024 summer season show a positive result.”
The minister stressed that July 2024 was a particularly exceptional month, since Morocco welcomed 2.6 million tourists.
She stressed that this is a significant increase of 20 percent compared to July 2023, which represents 424,000 additional arrivals, noting that this growth includes Moroccans residing abroad (+23 percent) as well as foreign tourists (+14 percent).
At the same time, Ms. Amour noted that this positive performance is also evident in the demand for classified tourist accommodation establishments in several regions of the Kingdom.
In this regard, she specified: “During the period July-August, the Souss-Massa region recorded an 8% increase in the number of overnight stays and a 4% increase in the number of arrivals in classified tourist accommodation establishments.” As for the northern region, including Tangier, Asilah and M’diq-Fnideq, it recorded a 12% growth in the number of overnight stays and 11% in the number of arrivals. Marrakech, true to its reputation, also recorded a 6% increase in the number of overnight stays and an 8% increase in the number of arrivals.”
The minister also highlighted the growing demand for the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region as a rising destination for coastal tourism and ski sports during this 2024 summer season, as it recorded a notable increase of 32 percent in the number of arrivals and 5 percent in the number of overnight stays.
Amour confirmed that in the Eastern region, July was below expectations, but the situation partially improved during August, with an encouraging 5% increase in the number of overnight stays in classified tourist accommodation establishments and 3% in the number of arrivals compared to August 2023.
She considered that these results highlight the growing attractiveness of Morocco as a preferred destination, which testifies to the effectiveness of the initiatives taken within the framework of the tourism roadmap.
She added: “Whether it is simple numbers or statistics, these data indicate the tangible impact of the tourism sector on the Moroccan economy, which translates into the creation of job opportunities, the development of regions and the stimulation of economic activity in general.”
Regarding the outlook, Amour indicated that it appears promising, as it is based on a solid national strategy, supported by concrete measures and specific investments within the framework of the 2025 Finance Bill, as well as by the stimulating effect represented by major international events.
