King Mohammed VI turns Morocco into Africa’s first tourist destination

Twenty-five years of King Mohammed VI’s rule transformed the country’s economy. The tourism sector, in particular, made major leaps forward turning the country into Africa’s most popular tourist destination and one of the most competitive in the mediterranean region.

Building on a centuries-old history, unique architecture, rich traditions, colorful landscapes, world-renowned cuisine, imperial cities, hospitality know-how, well-connected airports to global hubs and world-class hotels, Morocco gained in attractiveness to foreign visitors attracting a record 14.5 million tourists last year.

It all started in 2001, when the King spearheaded a national tourism strategy to attract 10 million tourists, launching- since then- a series of projects to facelift ancient medinas, develop coastal areas, diversify Morocco’s offer and train skilled youth to work in the hospitality sector.

In the first half this year, Morocco unseated Egypt by becoming Africa’s first tourist destination with 7.4 million visitors, letting tourism officials in the country express optimism to break a new record this year.

As Morocco further invests in the tourism sector offering operators financial aid to improve their offer, while attracting world-class hotel chains and increasing air links to major tourist emitting markets, the Kingdom expects at this growth pace to attain the 17.6 million tourist target ahead of 2026.

By 2030, the year Morocco will co-host the World Cup together with Spain and Portugal, the country expects to attract 26 million tourists.

This steady increase in arrivals translates into higher foreign currency inflow, with receipts in 2023 at a record $10.5 billion.

Currently representing 7% of Morocco’s GDP, the expansion of the tourism sector will offer jobs to Moroccan youth with many more indirect jobs created in the catering, entertainment and other related sectors.