The Rising Tide of Moroccan Tourism in 2026
The Moroccan tourism sector has kicked off 2026 with remarkable growth in both revenue and international visitor numbers. However, this positive trend is somewhat overshadowed by a significant decline in domestic travel, primarily influenced by the economic landscape and the observance of Ramadan. In the first two months of the year, Moroccan hotels reported a staggering 22% increase in revenues, surpassing 21 billion dirhams. This financial boon coincides with an overall rise in visitor numbers, as border crossings recorded 4.3 million arrivals in the first quarter, marking a 7% increase compared to 2025. March proved to be particularly vibrant, nearing 1.6 million visitors.
Challenges for Domestic Tourism Amidst International Growth
Despite these impressive figures, there is a noticeable disconnection with local travelers. Domestic tourism has experienced a 10% decline in the same period, hindered by inflationary pressures on purchasing power and perceived unaffordability of travel costs. As reported by _L’Economiste_, while Morocco might slightly attract fewer tourists in volume, it is drawing a clientele that spends more, thus enhancing the overall economic contribution of the tourism sector. The growth in high-end tourism is significantly bolstered by the European market, with France leading as the primary source of visitors, accounting for nearly a third of total arrivals, closely followed by Spain. Furthermore, the kingdom is expanding its appeal to new markets, evidenced by a remarkable 46% increase in tourists from Poland and an 8% rise from the United States, fueled by improved direct flight connections.
Geographically, tourism activity remains concentrated in specific areas, with Marrakech continuing to dominate as the national leader, recording 2.1 million overnight stays and capturing one-third of the tourism market. In contrast, regions like Tangier and southern Morocco are facing declines in visitor numbers. This geographical disparity is reflected in the average occupancy rates of classified accommodations, which fell to 51% in February. While Marrakech boasts resilience, other regional capitals like Rabat have seen a decline of eight points, reaching only 42% occupancy. Overall, the Moroccan tourism sector is on an upward trajectory, having registered a record 138 billion dirhams in tourism revenue in 2025, marking a 21% increase, with total international visitor numbers approaching 20 million. This surge underlines Morocco’s strategic shift towards becoming a more prominent player in the global tourism market.
As reported by bladi.net.
