Morocco's Historic Tourism Milestone in 2025
In a remarkable achievement, Morocco has reached a historic milestone in 2025 by welcoming nearly 20 million international tourists. The final estimates indicate a total of 19.8 million arrivals, marking a significant 14% increase compared to 2024. This impressive growth positions Morocco as the premier tourist destination in Africa. As stated by Fatim-Zahra Ammorl, the Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social Economy, "Welcoming nearly 20 million tourists in 2025 reflects the profound transformation of Moroccan tourism, driven by the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI." She further emphasized that these figures validate the effectiveness of the strategic initiatives undertaken and highlight tourism's role as a catalyst for growth and opportunity creation, positively impacting Moroccan citizens.
Surge in Tourism Revenue and Employment Opportunities
The increase in tourist arrivals has been accompanied by a steep rise in tourism revenues, which reached an impressive 138 billion dirhams. This figure represents a 21% annual growth and exceeds budget forecasts by 19%. The tourism sector now contributes approximately 7.3% to Morocco's GDP and has generated an additional 92,000 jobs since 2022, bringing the total to nearly 894,000 direct jobs. According to the UN Tourism Barometer, Morocco has officially established itself as a global giant in the tourism industry, ranking 13th worldwide for arrival growth, and dominating both Africa and the Middle East. Notably, Morocco outperformed the Canary Islands in total visitor numbers for the first time, showcasing the country's ability to uplift the entire African continent despite ongoing global inflation and geopolitical tensions.
This success can be attributed to a clear strategy launched in 2023, which has since been accelerated. The approach is founded on established development pillars, including organized travel, premium offerings, enhanced air connectivity, and market diversification.
Organized travel packages have played a crucial role in attracting tourists, with French and international travel agencies significantly increasing all-inclusive offers, especially to popular destinations like Marrakech and Agadir. In 2025, Morocco was honored as the "Partner Destination of the Year" by the SETO (Syndicat des Entreprises du Tour Operating), reflecting the rising popularity of organized trips. The demand for all-inclusive beach club packages in Agadir, as well as combined tours featuring the desert and historical medinas, have captivated a clientele seeking simplicity and security. For families, offerings such as the Club Coralia Marrakech Ryads Parc & Spa, which includes amenities like a spa and children’s club, have become increasingly popular.
The Moroccan tourism landscape is also witnessing a shift towards luxury. The country has embraced a premium strategy aimed at increasing the average spending of visitors, with a surge in the number of 4 and 5-star establishments and the modernization of existing hotels through the Cap Hospitality program. The goal is to elevate tourism revenues from 138 billion dirhams in 2025 to 150 billion dirhams by 2026, while accommodating 22 million tourists.
Moreover, enhanced air connectivity has been a significant contributor to this growth, with low-cost airlines like Ryanair planning to invest over $3 billion in Morocco by the decade's end. The airline, which has been a key partner since 2006, currently serves 13 airports and operates five bases in the country, aiming for 20 million passengers annually by 2030. EasyJet has also announced plans to establish its first base outside Europe in Marrakech by spring 2026, further solidifying Morocco's strategic position as a leading travel hub.
As reported by air-journal.fr.
