As of September 15, 2026, the Moroccan tourism industry is experiencing a resurgence with the return of Israeli tourists after nearly three years of disrupted direct flights. This development is eagerly anticipated by various sectors, including hotels, restaurants, tour guides, and excursion companies that previously thrived on this clientele. The direct flight route between Tel Aviv and Marrakech, which was suspended following events on October 7, 2023, resumed operations in August, with Israeli airlines now offering three weekly flights, according to reports from N12.

While the current flight capacity remains limited, the initial flights have quickly reached full capacity, indicating a strong demand, as noted by Yishai Molad, head of active travel for Issta Sport. He stated, "We see that there is a demand and we expect it to continue to grow." Current flight schedules suggest that up to 20,000 Israelis could travel directly to Morocco by the end of the year, a significant increase but still far from the approximately 100,000 visitors seen annually before the suspension of flights.

Reviving a Thriving Tourism Network

This revival is particularly crucial for businesses that catered to organized groups of tourists. Before the flight disruptions, a well-established network of kosher restaurants, hotels, drivers, and 4x4 excursion companies had developed throughout Morocco to serve this market. Uri Attias, a guide with over thirty years of experience in Moroccan travel, emphasized the importance of Israeli tourists, stating, "Many businesses in Morocco are truly waiting for Israeli tourists. They are their source of oxygen." Attias revealed that some companies used to organize two to three 4x4 excursions monthly for Israeli tourists before operations ceased abruptly.

Attias, who is of Moroccan descent and fluent in Darija, believes that the reception for Israeli travelers has not changed. He anticipates leading a new tour in Morocco in April 2027, marking his first trip in three and a half years. Following the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel, the Israeli market has become a priority for Moroccan tourism professionals. The National Office of Tourism in Morocco (ONMT) has launched promotional campaigns within Israel and gathered hundreds of Israeli travel agents and tour operators in Marrakech.

Gradual Recovery Ahead

However, the recovery appears to be gradual. With only three direct flights per week, the available capacity is still significantly lower than pre-2023 levels. For the Moroccan businesses that had invested in this segment, the sight of fully booked flights represents a hopeful sign of a revitalization in tourism.

As reported by bladi.net.