Reassuring News for Moroccan Tourism
In a recent statement, the Spanish Federation of Travel Agencies (CEAV) has confirmed that there have been no significant cancellations of tourist bookings to Morocco, despite the recent influx of irregular migrants to the occupied city of Ceuta in late July. The travel federation emphasized that tourist flows remain steady, with ongoing group trips and events related to business tourism. The CEAV, which comprises 39 professional associations representing various regions of Spain, conveyed this information through its president, José Manuel Astre, during an interview with the tourism and hotel sector portal, Hosteltur.
Stable Bookings and Positive Trends
Astre explained that they reached out to travel organizers specializing in Moroccan destinations and found that, while there was a slight initial decline in new bookings amid the crisis, no cancellations were reported. Communication with airlines revealed a similar trend, indicating that although booking rates slowed momentarily in the early days, flights continued to operate at satisfactory levels. Astre stressed that the CEAV does not wish to downplay the potential impact of certain issues on tourism activity; however, it is committed to providing accurate data. He reiterated that there are no indicators pointing to a surge in cancellations for trips to Morocco. He also noted the tourism sector in Ceuta, which significantly contributes over 12% to the city's annual GDP, has been affected.
Furthermore, data from the CEAV indicates that revenues from Spanish travel agencies and tour operators increased by 7.2% during the first half of this year, compared to a 3.9% rise in the same period last year. Spain welcomed over 44 million tourists in the first half of 2026, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous year. Employment rates in the travel agency sector also saw a significant rise of 14.6% in the second quarter compared to the first. Astre commented on the tourism sector's recovery, which has shown resilience despite geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East. The demand for travel has demonstrated a robust capacity to bounce back, with promotional offers contributing to the uptick in bookings during the core months of the tourist season. This positive trend is expected to continue into September, a month of increasing importance for Spanish vacationers seeking better prices.
As reported by hespress.com.
