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Tourism, long a pillar of Morocco's economy, is now proving even more important by making a significant contribution to GDP growth and creating millions of jobs.
Morocco's tourism industry is experiencing remarkable growth. Accounting for 7% of the country's gross domestic product, tourism is not only a vital economic sector but also a driving force behind the nation's development. The figure of 15.9 million visitors in the first 11 months of the year, a 20% increase compared to the same period last year, is clear evidence of Morocco's undeniable appeal.
2024 was an impressive year for Morocco's tourism industry, with the North African nation recording a record 15.9 million visitors in 11 months.
According to the Financial Research and Forecasting Bureau, a division of the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance, figures show a new record in passenger numbers. According to the agency, this increase is due to investment in companies such as Royal Air Maroc, which has significantly increased the number of routes and flights. The report highlights the resilience of Moroccan airports in the face of declining international air traffic. Globally, Morocco has seen a 17.9% increase in international passenger numbers and a 24.6% increase in domestic flights.
Data provided by the National Airports Authority (ONDA) shows that the plan to develop and invest in infrastructure connecting airports with the country's major tourist centers has yielded results. In terms of distribution, the majority of passengers have chosen Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca.
Although other airports such as Marrakech-Menara Airport and Agadir-Al Massira Airport saw increases of 30.2% and 34.6% respectively, Casablanca Airport was the most popular choice for travelers in terms of total passenger numbers. Other major tourist destinations such as Rabat-Salé Airport (40.4%), Aéroport Dakhla (33.2%), and Tangier-Ibn Battuta International Airport, with a 20% increase, contributed to the industry's growth.
This outstanding achievement not only marks spectacular growth but also affirms Morocco's increasingly solid position on the world tourism map.
Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said: "These remarkable figures demonstrate the effectiveness of the roadmap we have set out, and represent a major step towards our goal of making Morocco one of the top 15 tourist destinations in the world." Morocco has opened more flight routes to key tourist markets and promoted new domestic destinations.
Official figures show that from January to October this year, tourism revenue increased by 9.3%, reaching 97 billion dirhams (equivalent to $9.72 billion). Morocco aims to welcome 17.5 million tourists by 2026 and increase that number to 26 million by 2030 when the country will co-host the World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
