Agadir's Tourism Landscape During Ramadan
The tourism sector in Agadir, Morocco, has demonstrated remarkable resilience during the month of February 2026, despite the traditional slowdown associated with Ramadan. While there was a notable dip in both arrivals and hotel occupancy rates, the overall performance of overnight stays showed a positive trend. Specifically, the number of overnight stays increased by 1.39% compared to the previous year, totaling 477,074 nights. This growth can be attributed to an extended average length of stay, which rose from 4.20 to 4.38 days. Although the average occupancy rate fell to 62.94%, down from 65.90% in February 2025, the city maintained a robust capacity with 31,171 available beds.
February 2026 saw a total of 108,907 arrivals in classified hotels in Agadir, reflecting a decrease of 2.71% from the previous year. This decline is largely linked to the effects of Ramadan, which typically disrupts domestic travel patterns and affects tourist numbers from key markets. Notably, the domestic market experienced a significant downturn, with arrivals dropping by 29.11%. Conversely, international markets such as the UK showed resilience, with a slight decrease in arrivals but an increase in overnight stays, indicating a shift towards longer visits.
Positive Trends Despite Challenges
Despite the challenges faced in February, the cumulative data for the first two months of 2026 remains promising. Agadir welcomed 218,509 tourists from January to February, marking a modest increase of 0.80% compared to the same period in 2025. Furthermore, the total overnight stays for this timeframe reached 940,349, a notable rise of 3.33%. This overall performance is bolstered by key international markets, including the UK, Poland, the Netherlands, and France, which have shown continued interest in visiting Agadir.
In terms of accommodation categories, five-star hotels and vacation villages exhibited the most significant growth, with arrivals up by 39.37% and overnight stays by 43.45%. In contrast, two-star and one-star hotels faced declines in arrivals, highlighting the shifting preferences of travelers towards higher-quality accommodations. Additionally, the average occupancy rate saw a slight increase across classified hotels in Agadir, reflecting a steady demand for quality lodging options.
As Agadir approaches the festive period of Eid Al-Fitr and the school holidays, tourism operators anticipate a rebound in visitor numbers, which should contribute positively to the recovery of the sector. Overall, the data indicates a resilient tourism market that is poised to adapt and thrive in the face of seasonal fluctuations and external challenges.
As reported by leseco.ma.
