Morocco's Tourism Revenues Hit $4.28 Billion in February
Rabat – Morocco's tourism revenues amounted to MAD 15.75 billion or $4.28 billion as of February, new data from Morocco's Exchange Office has shown.
The number reflects a growth of 2.8%, an increase of MAD 428 million ($44.4 million) compared to the same period a year earlier.
Morocco's tourism stakeholders have been celebrating the strong performance the sector has been generating in the past decade.
Earlier this month, the Tourism Ministry said Morocco witnessed nearly 2.7 million arrivals by the end of February.
The number shows a 24$ % increase compared to 2024, it explained.
February alone saw almost 1.4 million arrivals, marking a 22% increase, or 248,000 more visitors, compared to the same month last year.
Last year, the North African country attracted over 17.4 million visitors, marking a 20% increase compared to a year earlier.
The number also means Morocco achieved its target two years ahead of the set year.
The data from the exchange office further indicated that travel expenses in February amounted to MAD 5 billion, marking a 27.2% increase.
The travel surplus exceeded MAD 10.76 billion by the end of this past February, down 5.6% compared to the previous year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
13 hours ago
- Morocco World
Marhaba 2025: Morocco to Boost Maritime Transport with 520 Weekly Sailings
Rabat– Morocco will boost its special maritime passenger transport to and from southern Europe with 520 weekly sailings under the Marhaba 2025 operation. This was announced Thursday by Mustapha Baitas, government spokesperson and Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament. Speaking after the weekly government council meeting, Baitas said that the operation, will increase transport capacity to 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles per week. To meet this demand, 29 vessels from seven shipping companies will operate 12 routes connecting Moroccan ports with key ports in Italy, France, and Spain. The operation also focuses on strengthening security by enhancing border control equipment and offering close support through 24 reception centers—18 inside Morocco and six abroad. Specialized medical teams will be deployed along major roads and rest areas to ensure travelers' health and safety. Additionally, consular services will be mobilized on weekends and holidays from June 15 to September 15 to assist travelers. This year's Marhaba operation is set against expectations of an unprecedented influx of about 3.5 million travelers, primarily Moroccans living in Europe, representing a 4% increase over previous years. Around 890,000 vehicles are expected to cross the Strait of Gibraltar, marking a 5% rise that may be partly attributed to Spain's migrant regularization program. An investment of approximately MAD 28 million (around $2.8 million) has been dedicated to upgrading reception infrastructure at Tanger-Med port to better handle the flow. Overall, Marhaba 2025 aims to ensure smooth traffic management, enhanced security, proximity support, and heightened health vigilance, in line with royal directives to guarantee a safe and efficient return for Moroccans abroad during the summer season. Tags: Marhaba 2025Morocco TourismTourism
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Poultry Prices Go Up Ahead of Eid Al Adha
Rabat – Moroccan markets have witnessed a notable increase in poultry produce just days ahead of Eid Al Adha, which will take place on June 7 in Morocco. Moroccan state-owned news provider SNRTNews reported today that prices of poultry in Casablanca markets reached MAD 23 per kilogram compared to MAD 17. Experts suggest that the notable change is due to the cancellation of the Eid al-Adha sacrifice ritual, which prompted a significant demand for poultry. In February, King Mohammed VI announced the cancellation of the sacrifice ritual, citing socio-economic challenges including drought. The climate challenges affected the livestock population, which saw a remarkable decrease. In response, the King stressed that the feast celebration could be enjoyed through performing Eid prayers and enjoying its spiritual significance, in addition to family visits and the atmosphere. Moroccans have in recent weeks taken to social media to comment on the high demand for meat products ahead of Eid Al Adha. This came as many Muslims are expected to enjoy the feast's culinary delicacies despite the absence of the sacrifice ritual. Some, however, have turned to buying fish and poultry products, as they fear that shops will be closed for weeks. Butchers traditionally close for several weeks during Eid Al Adha, knowing that most families have already secured more than enough meat through the sacrifice of goats or sheep. Butchers and markets selling poultry products have urged citizens to stock up on poultry provisions, warning against a similar scenario. Mohamed Aboud, president of the National Association of chicken farmers, told SNRTnews that the cancellation of the sacrifice ritual led many citizens to turn more heavily to poultry meat. He stressed that during Eid al-Adha, markets see a drop in demand for poultry initially. There is an exception this year, however, he said, noting that retail chicken prices now range between MAD 21 and 23 instead of their initial prices set at MAD 17. Mustapha Mountassir, president of the National Association of Poultry Meat Producers, echoed the same statement to the same source, noting that the price rise is due to demand outpacing supply. Tags: eid al adha 2025Moroccan poultry farms
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Morocco World
Bourita: Morocco's Visa Policy Based on Reciprocity, National Interest
Doha – Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita outlined Morocco's visa policy principles during a session at the Chamber of Counselors on Tuesday, emphasizing that the country adopts a sovereign approach based on political, historical, economic, and social considerations. Speaking during the weekly oral questions session, Bourita explained that Morocco's visa policy rests on three fundamental principles: reciprocity, protection of economic and political interests, and flexibility adapted to specific contexts. 'Each country is free to establish its own rules,' Bourita stated as he addressed questions about Morocco's e-visa system. He noted that the cost and security features of the Moroccan e-visa have evolved in line with international standards. The minister mentioned that visa prices increased last month, with e-visa platforms charging additional fees for expedited processing, such as obtaining an e-visa within 24 hours. Regarding Schengen visas, Bourita provided specific figures, reporting that European Union countries issued approximately 610,000 visas to Moroccan citizens in 2024, with a rejection rate of about 20%. France alone granted 283,000 visas to Moroccans, representing a 17% increase compared to the previous year. According to the minister, this represents the highest number of visas France has issued to any non-OECD country. Recent data shows Morocco now ranks fourth globally for Schengen visa applications in 2024, following only China, India, and Turkey. According to SchengenVisaInfo, 11,716,723 Schengen visa applications were submitted to EU countries in 2024, marking a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year, though still below pre-pandemic levels of nearly 17 million in 2019. Read also: Morocco Signed 7,500 International Agreements, Two-Thirds Under King Mohammed VI Bourita acknowledged challenges Moroccan citizens face when applying for Schengen visas, warning against certain practices by diplomatic representations or intermediaries that 'undermine the dignity of Moroccan citizens.' He affirmed that the country cannot tolerate such behaviors and reserves the right to respond accordingly. The black market for visa appointments has become a serious issue for Moroccan applicants. Intermediaries have been exploiting online appointment systems, using advanced software to snatch slots and resell them at prices reaching up to MAD 10,000 (around $1,000). The minister also addressed complaints handling, revealing that 1,345 requests and complaints were processed in 2024 through the national complaints portal ' These were categorized into four main types: consular matters, civil status requests, criminal issues, and social concerns. Bourita explained that complaints falling within the ministry's direct jurisdiction are handled internally, while others are forwarded to relevant departments or the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Residing Abroad. Close coordination with the Mediator institution ensures proper follow-up of cases. Visa injustice and diaspora potential dominate policy talks The discussion of Morocco's visa policy comes amid growing parliamentary pressure to implement reciprocal measures against European countries. In March, parliamentarians Khalid Es-Satte and Loubna Alaoui requested that the Foreign Ministry consider imposing visa requirements on European citizens entering Morocco, arguing that European countries generate significant revenue from fees charged to Moroccans while Europeans can enter the country without restrictions. This proposal emerged amid frustration over difficulties Moroccans face when applying for Schengen visas. In 2023, Moroccans lost MAD 118 million ($11.8 million) due to rejected Schengen visa applications, with a total of 136,367 refusals. More than half were processed by Spanish and French embassies and consulates. Hanane Atarguine, a deputy from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), has advocated for reimbursing fees to applicants whose visas are denied, pointing to the financial and psychological burden the current process places on many Moroccans. In contrast to potential reciprocal measures against European countries, Morocco has demonstrated restraint regarding Algeria's unilateral decision to reimpose visa requirements on Moroccan citizens in September 2024. Algeria claimed the decision was necessary to combat 'organized crime networks, drug and human trafficking, illegal immigration, and espionage,' allegedly conducted by Morocco—accusations made without supporting evidence. When Morocco imposed visas on Algerians in 1994 following a hotel bombing in Marrakech, Algeria reciprocated. Morocco unilaterally lifted the requirement for Algerians in 2004, with Algeria following suit for Moroccans in 2005. Despite Algeria's recent reimposition of visa requirements on Moroccans, Morocco has chosen not to respond in kind for Algerian citizens. As the visa policy debate continues, Bourita stressed the need to better leverage the potential of Moroccan expatriates, particularly through creating a dedicated database of Moroccan talents abroad. He noted that investments from the Moroccan diaspora, estimated at 6 million people across more than 100 countries (with 80% concentrated in six European countries), represent only about 10% of their remittances. This figure must be increased to make these competencies a true driver of national development, Bourita concluded. Tags: Nasser BouritaVisas
