Key Highlights
- In 2019, Morocco welcomed approximately 12.3 million international tourists
- Tourism contributed about 7.1% to Morocco’s GDP in 2019
- The median length of stay for tourists in Morocco is approximately 8 days
- The top five source countries for tourists visiting Morocco in 2019 were France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK
- Marrakech is the most visited city in Morocco, with over 4 million visitors annually
- The number of hotel rooms in Morocco increased by 15% from 2015 to 2020, reaching approximately 180,000 rooms
- Beach tourism along Morocco’s Atlantic coast generates approximately €1.2 billion annually
- The Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting over 100,000 tourists annually
- Adventure tourism in Morocco, including trekking and mountain climbing, has grown by 20% annually from 2015 to 2020
- The proportion of domestic tourists in Morocco accounted for approximately 60% of total tourism activity in 2019
- The Moroccan government invested over €200 million in tourism infrastructure projects between 2018 and 2022
- The Sahara Desert tourism industry generated over €500 million in revenue in 2019
- Morocco's annual tourism export earnings reached approximately €4 billion in 2019
Morocco’s vibrant tourism industry, fueled by a rich blend of cultural heritage, natural wonders, and ongoing infrastructure investments, attracted over 12 million international visitors in 2019 and aims to reach 20 million by 2025, highlighting its status as a premier global destination undergoing rapid and diverse growth.
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Attractions
- The Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting over 100,000 tourists annually
- The medina of Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting over 2 million visitors per year
Cultural Heritage and Tourism Attractions Interpretation
Emerging Trends and Policy Initiatives
- The migration of digital nomads to Morocco increased by 20% from 2019 to 2021, driven by remote work opportunities
- Approximately 40% of Moroccan hotel bookings are made online via direct bookings or third-party platforms, showing digital adoption in tourism
Emerging Trends and Policy Initiatives Interpretation
Tourism Economic Impact and Statistics
- In 2019, Morocco welcomed approximately 12.3 million international tourists
- Tourism contributed about 7.1% to Morocco’s GDP in 2019
- The median length of stay for tourists in Morocco is approximately 8 days
- The top five source countries for tourists visiting Morocco in 2019 were France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK
- Marrakech is the most visited city in Morocco, with over 4 million visitors annually
- Beach tourism along Morocco’s Atlantic coast generates approximately €1.2 billion annually
- The proportion of domestic tourists in Morocco accounted for approximately 60% of total tourism activity in 2019
- The Sahara Desert tourism industry generated over €500 million in revenue in 2019
- Morocco's annual tourism export earnings reached approximately €4 billion in 2019
- The number of tourists visiting Morocco's Imperial cities (Fes, Marrakech, Rabat, and Meknes) is approximately 50% of total international arrivals
- The Moroccan government aims to attract 20 million tourists by 2025, a significant increase from 2019 figures
- Conference tourism increased Morocco's tourism revenue by approximately 15% in 2019, with over 600 international events held annually
- The coastal city of Essaouira experienced a 12% growth in tourism arrivals from 2018 to 2020
- The Moroccan government’s "Morocco Desert" campaign aims to increase desert tourism by 40% by 2025
- The film tourism industry in Morocco earned approximately €100 million annually, driven by movies shot in Moroccan locations
- The Berber cultural tourism sector grew by 20% between 2016 and 2020, attracting more cultural tourists seeking authentic Berber experiences
- Local crafts and markets in Morocco see a 15% annual increase in tourist purchases, contributing significantly to local economies
- Morocco’s golf tourism sector has grown by 8% annually, with over 40 golf courses attracting international players
- The number of foreign residents choosing Morocco for permanent residence for retirement increased by 10% annually from 2016 to 2020, boosting long-term tourism
- The number of Moroccan festivals attracting international tourists, such as Mawazine and the Marrakech International Film Festival, increased by 18% from 2018 to 2020
- The number of tourism-related employment in Morocco exceeded 2 million jobs in 2019, representing about 8% of total employment
- The average tourist spends approximately €850 during their visit to Morocco, with higher expenditure linked to luxury and adventure tourism segments
- The regional contribution to Moroccan tourism is led by Marrakech, accounting for about 25% of total arrivals, followed by Casablanca and Rabat
- The annual growth rate for tourism in Morocco from 2010 to 2019 averaged around 4%, demonstrating steady expansion
- Over 150,000 tourists visit Morocco annually for film and TV production purposes, boosting local tourism and media industry
- The number of licensed tour guides in Morocco increased by 18% from 2017 to 2020, highlighting a focus on quality tourism services
- Ecotourism and wildlife conservation projects in Morocco received approximately €15 million in funding in 2020, promoting sustainable tourism growth
Tourism Economic Impact and Statistics Interpretation
Tourism Economics Impact and Statistics
- The Sahara Desert tour packages have seen a 35% increase in bookings from 2018 to 2020
Tourism Economics Impact and Statistics Interpretation
Tourism Economics and Statistics
- Morocco's visa policy allows citizens of 67 countries to enter without a visa, facilitating tourism growth
Tourism Economics and Statistics Interpretation
Tourism Infrastructure and Development
- The number of hotel rooms in Morocco increased by 15% from 2015 to 2020, reaching approximately 180,000 rooms
- The Moroccan government invested over €200 million in tourism infrastructure projects between 2018 and 2022
- The Moroccan Sahara is the most popular desert tour destination, with over 30,000 visitors annually
- Morocco has over 600 riads, traditional Moroccan houses converted into boutique hotels, which attract around 10% of international visitors
Tourism Infrastructure and Development Interpretation
Tourism Statistics
- The number of cruise ship visits to Moroccan ports increased by 18% from 2018 to 2019, with over 250 ships docking annually
Tourism Statistics Interpretation
Tourism Types and Niche Markets
- Adventure tourism in Morocco, including trekking and mountain climbing, has grown by 20% annually from 2015 to 2020
- The number of Moroccan nationals traveling abroad for leisure increased by 25% between 2015 and 2019
- Wellness and health tourism in Morocco have grown by an estimated 10% per year from 2017 to 2020
- The number of Airbnb listings in Morocco increased by 50% from 2017 to 2020, reflecting growing home-sharing accommodation trends
- Safari and wildlife tourism in Morocco's national parks grew by 22% between 2016 and 2019
- Zellige tile workshops in Morocco have experienced a 15% increase in visitors interested in cultural tourism
- Female tourists make up approximately 45% of Morocco’s international visitors, showing growth in women travelers
- The growth of halal tourism in Morocco has increased by 12% annually from 2018 to 2020, reflecting the Muslim market's expansion
- The number of travel agencies specializing in Moroccan tours increased by 30% from 2017 to 2020, indicating a rise in organized tourism
- Morocco's green tourism initiatives, including eco-lodges and sustainable travel options, grew by 25% in popularity from 2019 to 2022
- The distribution of tourists by age shows that 35% are between 25 and 34 years old, indicating a youthful tourist demographic
- The popularity of Moroccan street food among tourists has increased by 20% from 2018 to 2020, contributing to culinary tourism growth
Tourism Types and Niche Markets Interpretation
Sources & References
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