Tourism is one of the most important sectors in Morocco, and 2024 is considered a remarkable year making strong growth by the end of July 2024 as the sector has seen a 15% increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2023 after the immense efforts initiated by the government in terms of marketing attracting attention from people all around the world. The escalation is not only strengthening the country’s tourism infrastructure but is also paving the way for Organizations like No Limits Travel DMC to develop.
Tourism in Morocco 2024 (January – July) :
In the first 7 months of 2024, tourist arrivals in Morocco reached a new record of 10 million people, 15% more than the same period in 2023, according to the Directorate of Financial Studies and Forecasts (DEPF) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
“During July 2024, the destination 'Morocco' welcomed a record number of arrivals, i.e. 2.6 million arrivals, an increase of 20%. At the end of the first seven months of 2024, a new record was set for this period of the year, with ten million tourists arriving in the Kingdom, representing an increase of 15%”, indicates the DEPF in its recent conjunction note.
Overnight stays at classified accommodation establishments consolidated by 8.4% at the end of June 2024, to reach 12.7 million overnight stays, the same source points out, adding that this trend covers a significant increase of 13.1% to 7.2 million in Q2 2024.
Tourism receipts closed the second quarter of 2024 on a 9.4% uptrend, taking their growth to 2.3% at the end of June, following a 4.2% decline at the end of March 2024 and a 69.2% increase a year earlier.
European tourists, particularly from France, Spain, and Germany, continue to make up the majority of visitors, while new markets like the United States and China are gaining traction. North American tourism increased by 20%, driven by improved flight connectivity and increased marketing efforts targeting this region.
Tourism Statistics: Update
Thanks to exceptional performances throughout the year, supported by the effective implementation of the 2023-2026 Tourism Roadmap and the commitment of sector players, Moroccan tourism continues to stand out on the international stage. With figures to back it up, Morocco reached a record 15.9 million tourists during the first eleven months of 2024 (January - November), recording growth of 20%, or 2.6 million additional visitors compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy. In November alone, the Kingdom welcomed almost 1.3 million tourists, posting exceptional growth of 31%.
This increase is driven by a 23% rise in foreign tourist arrivals, representing 1.5 million additional visitors, as well as a 17% rise in Moroccans living abroad (MRE), who contribute 1.1 million additional arrivals.
Domestic tourism was not left behind, with 30 million overnight stays recorded in all types of accommodation, including classified hotels. This result reflects the strong contribution of domestic tourists, who remain the main customers of local destinations.
A remarkable mobilization by ONDA
During 2024, the Office National des Aéroports (ONDA) worked hard to enhance the competitiveness and efficiency of Morocco's airport infrastructure, with a particular focus on Casablanca's Mohammed V airport.
The year was marked by major modernization projects, such as the commissioning of a new 5,000 m² transit area and improvements to baggage handling facilities.
These initiatives are aimed at streamlining circuits, reducing waiting times, and offering an optimal customer experience, while responding to the continuing growth in air traffic and anticipating the challenges of 2030.
ONDA has also strengthened its security systems with cutting-edge technologies to guarantee the highest standards of safety and performance.
The ONMT, a driving force behind international promotion
In 2024, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) stepped up its efforts to improve Morocco's air connectivity, with strategic partnerships including Ryanair.
The airline opened its fourth Moroccan base in Tangier, offering 25 routes, including 13 new ones to European and Moroccan destinations.This $200 million investment, accompanied by the creation of 600 local jobs, aims to strengthen Morocco's position as a major tourist destination.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has announced a record schedule for summer 2024, with more than 170 routes across the Kingdom, aiming to carry over 5 million passengers.With regard to domestic tourism, the ONMT launched the second wave of the “Ntla9aw f bladna” campaign on October 7, dedicated to encouraging domestic travel.
This mobility-focused campaign aims to facilitate access to Morocco's various tourist destinations via public transport (coaches, trains and planes), particularly during school vacation periods.The aim is to stimulate domestic travel by highlighting the diversity of the Moroccan landscape, while emphasizing the ease of access and speed of travel.
The campaign is aimed at a wide audience and will be followed by several waves to promote travel during long weekends and vacations. A third wave, scheduled for 2025, will focus on spring and summer vacations, with an emphasis on the “Seaside” and “Nature and Discovery” sectors.
In particular, the ONMT has also launched new initiatives to strengthen international connectivity.
A direct flight between Morocco and Iceland has been set up, operated by Play Airlines, with regular connections between Reykjavik and Marrakech.This flight is part of a wider strategy to strengthen Morocco's presence in Scandinavian and North American markets, doubling air capacity with 21 weekly flights to Marrakech and Agadir. Joint communication campaigns are also planned to promote these new air links.
At the same time, the ONMT has signed an agreement with Ryanair to launch, in January 2025, two new direct routes linking Dakhla to Madrid and Lanzarote.This initiative aims to develop tourism in the region, particularly for water sports, and to double the international capacity of Dakhla airport. These new routes are part of the company's Roadmap, which focuses on strengthening air connectivity to make Morocco a must-see destination.
Morocco’s Top Tourist Destinations in 2024
Marrakech: As Morocco’s tourism capital, Marrakech continues to be the primary draw for both first-time and repeat visitors. With its blend of rich history, luxurious accommodations, and vibrant culture, it’s a hub for incentive travel and corporate events, a key focus for No Limits Travel DMC.
Agadir and Essaouira: The coastal cities are also seeing increased attention, especially from tourists seeking beach vacations or water sports. With their warm climates and laid-back atmospheres, they provide a perfect complement to the desert and city experiences.
Desert Adventures: The Agafay Desert, just outside Marrakech, and the iconic dunes of Merzouga in the Sahara are becoming increasingly popular for those looking to explore Morocco's wild and untouched landscapes. Desert tours, camel rides, and luxury camps are among the experiences that No Limits Travel DMC excels in curating.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Despite the positive growth, Morocco’s tourism industry does face challenges, including global economic fluctuations, rising operational costs, and stiff competition from other Mediterranean destinations. However, the outlook for the second half of 2024 remains strong, especially as Morocco prepares to host major international events like the 2030 World Cup, which will undoubtedly boost tourism further.
How NO LIMITS TRAVEL DMC will adapt to the Growth
As the Tourism industry blooms in Morocco, No Limits Travel DMC is growing too, we are scaling up our operations as we will put our focus more on Leisure travel too, in addition of our initial main focus in organizing Incentives, Gala Dinners, and Corporate events such as Seminars and formal meetings.The growing demand and the change in customer behavior with increased interest in both Leisure and corporate travel is leading our agency to think out of the box and deliver more exceptional experiences that showcase the best of Morocco and focus on bringing high quality, personalized services and exclusive experiences.
With more tourists arriving and the government’s focus on sustainable tourism and infrastructure development in the future, the industry is poised for continued expansion. No Limits Travel DMC with its expertise and interest in sustainable actions can help shape this future by offering unique, customized experiences that showcase the best of Morocco, while also ensuring the country’s cultural and environmental heritage is preserved for generations to come.
Would you like to explore the many facets of Morocco in a more in-depth and original way? Get in Touch.