Morocco sees tourism spike in 2024 with 17 million visitors: ministry

Morocco welcomed more than 17 million tourists last year, authorities announced on Thursday, breaking its yearly arrivals record and logging a 20% increase on 2023.

The North African kingdom has invested heavily in recent years in modernising its airports, public transport and hospitality industry in the hopes of boosting its tourism sector.

The Tourism Ministry, in a statement carried by official news agency MAP, said the number of visitors last year was about 3 million higher than in the previous year.

A little more than half the tourists were foreigners and the rest Moroccans living abroad, it said, with both figures going up compared with 2023.

“The country has achieved an ambitious roadmap target ahead of schedule, as it was originally set for 2026,” the ministry said, referring to the 17 million mark.

“These figures reflect our government’s targeted investments in this vital economic sector and the unwavering efforts of tourism professionals,” Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said.

Tourism represented about 7% of the country’s GDP in 2023, accounting for some 2 million jobs, according to official figures that are not yet available for 2024.

To boost tourism, Morocco has invested in improving hotels and commercial services, and expanded air routes and partnerships with low-cost airlines such as Ireland-based Ryanair.

Morocco is set to host the Fifa African Cup of Nations this year and the World Cup in 2030.

– Agence France-Presse