Recent reports from Hebrew media indicate that approximately 20,000 Israeli tourists are expected to visit Morocco by the end of 2026, following the resumption of direct flights between Israel and the North African kingdom in recent weeks. This development comes at a time when the tourism sector seeks to regain some momentum lost due to the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza.
According to the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post, citing N12 News, direct flights from Tel Aviv to Marrakech resumed this summer after being suspended since October 2023. The Israeli airline Arkia operated its inaugural direct flight to the Moroccan city last August, and now three direct flights operate weekly between the two countries.
Sources, including Israeli-Moroccan tour guide Uri Atiyas, confirmed that Morocco is already anticipating Israeli tourists. He emphasized that the resumption of direct flights is expected to bolster the local economy through an upsurge in tourism, with expectations of increased demand for visits to the kingdom in the coming months.
Israeli media outlets have noted that the volume of Israeli tourism in Morocco remains relatively low compared to pre-conflict levels, partially attributed to the limited number of direct flights available. However, initial demand suggests a potential rebound in the number of Israeli tourists, which could return to the annual rates seen before the war, when around 100,000 Israelis visited Morocco each year.
The resumption of direct flights is closely linked to the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel, a process announced in December 2020 as part of a trilateral agreement brokered by the United States. This agreement facilitated the reinstatement of official relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv, including the launch of direct flights and the promotion of cooperation in tourism, trade, and investment.
On December 22, 2020, Morocco, the United States, and Israel signed a joint declaration in Rabat, outlining measures for establishing full diplomatic relations and permitting direct flights between Morocco and Israel, alongside enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including tourism and civil aviation. That same day, the first direct flight from Tel Aviv landed in Rabat, carrying an Israeli and American delegation, marking a symbolic milestone in the restoration of relations between the two nations. This flight, operated by El Al, was the first commercial direct flight between Tel Aviv and Rabat.
In July 2021, Israeli airlines El Al and Israir commenced direct commercial flights to Marrakech, aiming to boost tourism traffic between the two countries, particularly as Morocco has long been a significant destination for many Israelis of Moroccan descent.
The significance of Israeli tourism to Morocco is underscored by the historical ties that connect the kingdom with the Jewish diaspora of Moroccan origin in Israel. Estimates from the Jewish news agency indicate that around one million Jews of Moroccan descent reside in Israel, making them a potentially significant segment of visitors historically and culturally linked to Morocco.
The roots of this community trace back to large waves of Moroccan Jewish migration to Israel in the mid-20th century, during which hundreds of thousands of Moroccan Jews relocated, with many settling in Israel while maintaining cultural and familial ties to their homeland.
As reported by assahifa.com.
