In a significant step towards enhancing its tourism sector, Morocco has officially signed three new contracts aimed at developing tourism in its southern provinces, specifically targeting areas such as Dakhla, Boujdour, and Tarfaya. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy designed to support a total of 1,700 tourism businesses by the year 2026. The ambitious plan is backed by an estimated investment of $71 million (approximately MAD 720 million), which is intended to strengthen and diversify the country's tourism offerings.
The announcement was made by Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor on April 21, who emphasized that these contracts will facilitate various leisure and adventure tourism activities. These include exciting pursuits such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, jet skiing, and quad biking, all of which serve to showcase the stunning Saharan landscape. By expanding the range of tourism experiences available, this initiative aims to draw visitors beyond the traditional hotspots, thereby contributing to the local economy and fostering sustainable tourism practices.
According to Minister Ammor, the projects are projected to create over 150 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting economic activity in the southern regions. The newly signed contracts fall under a larger national framework that seeks to modernize and expand Morocco's tourism sector through a combination of financial incentives and technical support. Notably, the program offers investment bonuses of up to 35% for leisure projects and 30% for accommodation, while also promoting digital transformation and sustainable practices within the industry.
Initial results from the implementation of these strategies indicate a positive restructuring of the sector. For instance, Agadir, a key pilot destination, has seen six calls for expressions of interest leading to the renovation of approximately 7,721 hotel beds, which constitutes about one-third of the city's total accommodation capacity. The city recorded an impressive influx of over 1.16 million visitors in the first ten months of 2024, reflecting double-digit growth compared to previous years.
In light of these developments, authorities are keenly interested in extending this momentum to emerging tourist destinations like Dakhla, Boujdour, and Tarfaya. These areas are being positioned as new frontiers for tourism that reflect the unique characteristics of the Saharan region through experience-driven and investment-backed projects.
According to official statistics, Morocco welcomed nearly 20 million tourists in 2025, surpassing previous roadmap targets, while tourism revenues soared to approximately 138 billion dirhams (around $13.7 billion). The tourism sector also supported around 894,000 direct jobs in 2025, exceeding employment projections outlined in the national tourism roadmap and reinforcing the sector's role as a vital labor-intensive component of the economy.
Go Siyaha, a key initiative in this context, has already backed around 1,000 tourism projects across the nation, encompassing accommodation, eco-tourism, and leisure-based ventures. This is all part of a concerted effort to diversify tourism offerings and stimulate regional development.
The recent contracts align perfectly with Morocco’s ongoing strategy to strengthen tourism beyond its traditional hubs, such as Marrakech and Casablanca, by fostering the development of coastal and desert destinations in the south. With Dakhla emerging as a prominent kitesurfing destination and Tarfaya being targeted for growth, Morocco is positioning itself at the forefront of sports and nature-based tourism.
As reported by ecofinagency.com.
