Surge in Tourist Arrivals Highlights Morocco's Growing Appeal
According to the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts, the Moroccan tourism sector has experienced a remarkable upward trend at the start of 2026, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors in January alone, marking a 3% increase compared to the previous year. This growth can be attributed to a rise in arrivals from various international markets, notably from France (up 14%), Poland (up 40%), Italy (up 6%), the United States (up 15%), Belgium (up 5%), and Canada (up 10%).
The impact of this surge is particularly evident in the accommodation sector, where registered overnight stays in classified establishments rose by 12% by the end of January 2026. This increase is further enhanced by Morocco’s hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, alongside the allure of the country's diverse destinations.
Specific regions such as Casablanca (+36%), Rabat (+42%), Tangier (+31%), Ouarzazate (+35%), Errachidia (+29%), Agadir (+11%), Marrakech (+7%), Fez (+10%), and Essaouira (+7%) have all seen significant increases in overnight stays. Furthermore, travel revenues soared by 19.3% in January 2026, reaching 11.7 billion dirhams, compared to 9.8 billion dirhams in the same month of the previous year.
Air Traffic and Maritime Growth Reflects Tourism Boom
In terms of air travel, Moroccan airports welcomed over 3.1 million passengers in January 2026, reflecting a 14.7% increase, driven largely by international passenger traffic, which rose by 14.9%, and national traffic, which increased by 13.1%. Geographically, this growth can be attributed to a dynamic transportation network with Africa (+28.9%), North and South America combined (+30.7%), the Middle East and the Far East (+15.9%), the Maghreb region (+13.7%), and Europe (+13.2%). Additionally, air freight activity rose by 7.4% during the first month of 2026.
Maritime transport also exhibited positive trends, with commercial traffic processed in national ports concluding 2025 with an 8.9% increase, following a 15.2% growth the previous year, totaling 262.6 million tons. This increase is attributed to a 14.7% enhancement in passenger transport, a 2.8% rise in imports, a 1.4% increase in exports, and a significant 24.3% growth in coastal transport.
In 2025, nearly 5.6 million passengers were transported via ports, representing a 5.4% increase. Meanwhile, the cruise tourism sector saw a remarkable 41.7% increase by the end of 2025, with 383,231 tourists arriving via cruise ships, showcasing Morocco's growing stature as a preferred travel destination.
As reported by alaan.ma.
