UNWTO sets up in Morocco UN Tourism Thematic Office for Africa

UN World Tourism Organization has chosen Morocco’s capital city of Rabat for establishing its Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa. The move is an international recognition of the Kingdom’s role as a key partner in supporting tourism growth across the continent.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and Moroccan tourism minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor signed on Tuesday Host Country Agreement on the sidelines of a forum held in the country on technological innovation & Tourism Investment.

The WTO thematic office will focus on capacity-building initiatives in Africa and support workshops, conferences and forums centered on innovation. It will also host start-up competitions to encourage entrepreneurial ventures in tourism across the continent.

The choice of Morocco for hosting Africa’s first UN tourism thematic office shows the Kingdom’s continental leadership in tourism development, said Ms. Ammor.

For his part, Mr. Pololikashvili said the regional office will strengthen African tourism and ensure coordination with partners, while boosting UNWTO’s actions for the benefit of African tourism.

According to the latest UN Tourism data, Morocco welcomed 17.4 million international tourists in 2024, a 20% increase on 2023, making it the most-visited country in all of Africa.

Over the last five years, Morocco has attracted $3.5 billion in FDI annually across all sectors. From 2014 to 2023, $ 2.2 billion was allocated to the tourism sector. Greenfield investments in tourism amounted to $ 2.6 billion between 2015 and 2024.

Morocco’s tourism sector has become a key economic driver, contributing 7.3% to GDP by 2023. With a remarkable increase in international arrivals since 2019 and over $ 10.5 billion in tourism revenue, Morocco’s tourism sector will continue growing thanks to its political stability, competitive edge and openness of its economy making the country a privileged destination for both national and international investors.