Significant Growth in Morocco's Tourism Sector
Morocco's tourism industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, generating an impressive MAD 97.92 billion (approximately $9.94 billion) in revenue during the first eight months of 2026. This figure marks a significant 9.7% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2025, as reported by Morocco’s Exchange Office. The sector has seen a substantial upward trajectory over the past five years, with revenues rising dramatically from MAD 53.97 billion ($5.43 billion) in the initial eight months of 2022 to the formidable MAD 97.92 billion in 2026, highlighting a robust 81.4% growth.
The increase in revenue aligns with a notable rise in tourist arrivals, as Morocco welcomed 14.1 million visitors by the end of August 2026. This influx of tourists translates to an additional 608,000 visitors, reflecting a 4.5% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, August 2026 marked a milestone for the country, as it welcomed more than 2 million tourists in that month alone, which was a 3% increase from August 2025.
Tourist Accommodation and International Arrivals
The surge in tourist numbers has invigorated activity across Morocco's classified tourist accommodation establishments, which recorded nearly 25.9 million overnight stays by the end of July 2026, marking an 8% increase year-on-year. Destinations such as Ouarzazate led this growth with a remarkable 23% rise in overnight stays, followed by notable increases in Rabat (16%), Agadir (11%), and urban hotspots like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier, each experiencing a 10% boost.
European markets continue to play a pivotal role in Morocco's international tourism landscape, with France and Spain being the largest source markets in the first seven months of 2026. France accounted for 3.62 million arrivals, representing 30% of the total influx and an increase of 7% from 2025. Spain followed closely with 2.6 million arrivals, although this figure saw a slight decline of 3% year-on-year. Other notable contributors included the United Kingdom with 855,523 arrivals (up 5%), Belgium with 834,388 arrivals (up 8%), and Italy, which welcomed 695,149 visitors (up 5%). Furthermore, Poland demonstrated exceptional growth, reporting 140,172 arrivals, which accounted for a striking 31% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
The tourism sector's impressive performance in 2026 builds on a strong foundation established in the previous year when Morocco reported MAD 138.1 billion ($14.02 billion) in tourism receipts, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 20.6%. The country also welcomed 19.8 million tourists in 2025, marking a 14% growth compared to 2024 and a staggering 53% increase compared to 2019. In 2024, tourism revenues had already reached MAD 112 billion ($11.27 billion), further underscoring the sector's ongoing recovery and expansion.
Morocco's advancements in international tourism rankings also merit attention. The country ranked 70th out of 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, achieving a score of 3.84 out of seven, illustrating its commitment to enhancing its travel and tourism landscape.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
