Morocco’s Tourism sector gets support from EBRD & UNWTO

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has teamed up with the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) to help tourism industry recover from the covid-19 impact in several countries, including Morocco.

The coronavirus lockdown has affected many sectors of the global economy, with tourism being among the hardest hit as worldwide destinations introduced restrictions on travel in response to Covid-19.

As some destinations are starting to ease restrictions, the EBRD and UNWTO have agreed to support recovery of tourism in a number of countries, including Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon Albania, Armenia, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro and Uzbekistan.

The UNWTO’s “tourism recovery technical assistance package” includes several immediate actions. These comprise assessment of Covid-19 impact, incentives to revive the tourism sector, enhanced measures to ensure safety, hygiene and security of tourists and employees as well as tourism marketing campaigns.

In Morocco, tourism industry is the hardest hit sector by covid-19 outbreak. The country’s professionals have called for urgent actions to help the sector recover, avoid losses of up to $13 billion between 2020 and 2022, maintain jobs and foster competitiveness.

Tourism is the second-largest contributor to Morocco’s economy, accounting for 11 pc of GDP. The tourism industry provides 750,000 direct and more than 2.5 million indirect jobs. Besides, the industry participates in the development of several other economic sectors such as construction, agriculture, agro-industry, services, etc.