Morocco: Tourism revenues grow by 123.3% by end of April 2022
Morocco’s tourism revenues increased by 123.3% at the end of April 2022, according to the Department of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF).
These revenues have reduced their decline from their pre-pandemic level to 36.3%, following a 71.5% drop at the end of April 2021, said the DEPF in its report on business climate for June 2022.
In April 2022, the third month after the reopening of national borders, tourism revenues continued to grow. This trend is expected to accelerate in the coming months, following the relaxation of travel restrictions that took effect on May 18, 2022, and other government measures aimed at supporting and boosting the sector’s activity.
Besides the emergency program in favor of the tourism sector, the Marhaba 2022 operation was launched on June 5, 2022, with its new measures aimed at offering the best conditions of reception and transit to Moroccans expatriates.
In a bid to facilitate access and encourage tourists to visit the country, Morocco also decided to introduce e-visa applications for nationals of 49 countries.
E-visas application online will be available starting July 10, Morocco’s tourism ministry announced, noting that the number of countries will increase gradually starting with Israel and Thailand.
Citizens with residency cards in Shengen space or those holding European or US visas will also benefit from the new visa facilitation.
Morocco reported a 124% rise in tourism receipts to 14.62 billion dirhams ($1.5 bln) up to April this year, getting closer to pre-pandemic levels of 2019, the exchange office said.
Analysts say that the receipts could have been higher had it not been for Ramadan which coincided with April this year.
Morocco is restoring air routes with key tourism emitting markets and is expecting to surpass 2019 this year amid a recovery of the hospitality industry.
The recovery of the tourism sector augurs well for foreign exchange reserves amid a higher import bill that led to deepening of the trade deficit to 43.6% up to April this year, or $9 bln.
