Marrakech Welcomes the GNV Awards
This past weekend, Marrakech served as the backdrop for the seventh edition of the GNV Awards, a prestigious event hosted by the MSC group’s ferry company. During this ceremony, GNV recognized its partner agencies and unveiled the names of four future vessels. On October 5th, the company also announced a significant three-year partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), marking a strategic collaboration aimed at promoting Morocco as a prime tourist destination.
Approximately 120 representatives from Italian and international travel agencies attended this annual celebration, where GNV honors its top commercial partners. Marrakech, renowned for hosting professional travel meetings, continues to be a focal point for such gatherings, embodying the essence of events like PURE Life Experiences.
Strengthening Ties with ONMT for Future Growth
The recently signed agreement aims to enhance the promotion of Morocco across key European markets while supporting passenger flows across the Mediterranean. This initiative includes joint communication campaigns utilizing GNV and ONMT's channels, as well as creating packages that combine maritime travel with tourist services in Morocco, targeting both European visitors and Moroccans residing in Europe.
Carole Montarsolo, General Manager of GNV Morocco, emphasized that the company will leverage its extensive commercial network throughout Europe to promote Morocco in tandem with the ONMT. Matteo Catani, the company’s General Manager, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating that Morocco is currently one of GNV's most dynamic and strategic markets, and this agreement represents a natural progression in the growth trajectory they are forging alongside local institutions and partners.
With nearly two decades of presence in Morocco, GNV has successfully transported over six million passengers, including many Moroccans living abroad. According to Montarsolo, the passenger volumes on Moroccan routes are expected to remain steady in 2026, matching the levels seen in 2025. In a competitive landscape, this achievement is considered highly significant, and GNV is forecasting around 2.2 million passengers transported across its network from January to September 2026, reflecting a 2% increase.
Additionally, GNV is proud to announce an enhancement in customer satisfaction across its fleet, a testament to the investments made in recent years, including the introduction of two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels, GNV Aurora and GNV Virgo, which have been deployed this summer on the Genoa-Barcelona-Tangier route. On land, GNV now employs 70 staff members between Tangier Med and Nador, ensuring that passengers receive comprehensive assistance from port access to boarding the vessel, complimenting the onboard services. A notable change for travelers is the upcoming mandatory online check-in for all passengers starting March 1, 2027.
The GNV Awards primarily celebrate the achievements of partner agencies, which are responsible for over half of the company’s sales. During the event, Morchid Travel was awarded the title of "Best Up and Coming Moroccan Travel Agency," recognizing its burgeoning success, while Fes Ferry Tour was honored in the category of "Best Travel Agency Destination Morocco." Fes Ferry Tour also joined the ranks of the new Élite Premium partners alongside Ferryhopper and ADAC Travel & Event Mittelrhein. Additionally, the “Brand Ambassador” trophy was awarded to Doukkal Tour. Launched in 2017, the Élite Partner and Élite Premium programs offer selected agencies exclusive benefits and initiatives.
Moreover, the Marrakech event unveiled the names of four upcoming ships that will join the GNV fleet. Following the celestial theme of previous vessels (Polaris, Orion, Virgo, Aurora), the new vessels are named after planets: GNV Jupiter, GNV Mars, GNV Venus, and GNV Mercury. These LNG-powered ships are currently under construction at the Guangzhou Shipyard International in Canton, China. GNV Jupiter, the first of the series, is anticipated to join the fleet by the end of 2027, boasting the capacity to accommodate 2,500 passengers, with 500 cabins and 3,500 linear meters of freight. Supported by the MSC group, the fleet renewal program has already facilitated the commissioning of four new ships within an eighteen-month period.
As reported by latribunedemarrakech.com.
