logo
Morocco's ONMT Eyes Asian Market, Targets China as Key Tourism Giant

Morocco's ONMT Eyes Asian Market, Targets China as Key Tourism Giant

Morocco World17-02-2025

Rabat – Morocco's National Tourism Office (ONMT) is strengthening ties with China's gigantic tourism market through a roadshow, with a wide range of events in Beijing and Shanghai from February 17 to 22.
In a statement today, ONMT announced that this initiative follows the reopening of Royal Air Maroc's (RAM) Casablanca-Beijing route and the launch of China Eastern's Shanghai-Casablanca connection in January.
The delegation includes Moroccan travel agencies, luxury hotels, and tourism professionals, working alongside the National Tourism Council (CNT).
On the menu, meetings are planned with leading platforms such as Ctrip and TikTok, suggesting a strategic intent to attract Chinese tourists.
The action is part of a larger effort to restart and consolidate the presence of Morocco in China, one of the main stakeholders in global tourism.
China remains a global leader in outbound tourism, with 155 million international trips recorded in 2019.
As the sector recovers, Morocco is focusing on high-end segments such as luxury tourism and tailor-made travel experiences.
ONMT has organized a series of promotional actions in China throughout 2024 in collaboration with trade and marketing professionals.
These include participation in international tourism fairs such as ITB China 2024, collaboration with key industry operators, and digital outreach through Chinese social media.
With over 4.15 million millionaire households in China as of 2023 and an interest in luxury travel on the rise, Morocco is confident it can attract high-value tourists.
'This roadshow is an important step in positioning Morocco as a premium destination for Chinese tourists,' ONMT statement concluded.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Morocco Exports Over 100,000 Tons of Avocados for the First Time
Morocco Exports Over 100,000 Tons of Avocados for the First Time

Morocco World

timean hour ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco Exports Over 100,000 Tons of Avocados for the First Time

Rabat – Morocco has quietly but firmly claimed a new place among the world's key avocado exporters. For the first time, the country crossed the 100,000-ton mark in avocado exports, according to agricultural market platform EastFruit, an unprecedented milestone that signals Morocco's growing influence in a market once dominated by Latin America. This achievement comes amid a complex season. Global avocado prices have dropped due to an oversupply from producers in countries like Peru and Mexico. Still, Moroccan growers managed to outperform expectations, helped by a combination of stable weather, high-quality harvests, and increasingly competitive logistics. In Europe, Morocco's biggest export market, markets grew more crowded and prices more volatile. But Morocco fared well. Rather than chasing quantity, producers focused on consistency and quality, two aspects that set their produce apart in a market environment characterized by high pressure and competition. Morocco's growing visibility on the international trade scene is a symptom of broader changes in the global avocado business. With more and more suppliers flooding the market, shoppers no longer place top priority on prices. Shelf life, appearance, and on-time delivery carry as much weight as price. Demand remains strong, especially in Europe and North America, but the rules of the game have shifted. Morocco appears to understand this shift. Read also: Morocco Is World's 9th Largest Avocado Exporter Amid Water Scarcity It is no longer a secondary seasonal provider. It is now a regular player, one that can ride out fluctuating times while earning the confidence of international consumers. On a larger scale, this year's export milestone is more than a number. It is the indication of Morocco's entrance into a new era of its agricultural policy, one that is less reactive, more calculated, and more international. But such success comes at a price. Morocco's rise to global leadership in the avocado market is paid for with growing environmental expenses. Growing avocados is a water-intensive business that weighs heavily on a country already beset with regular droughts and worsening water shortages. With producers increasingly opening up more plantation land to meet overseas demand, concern grows about the sustainability of such development over the long term. The tensions between economic opportunity and environmental responsibility remain to be addressed, especially in regions where water shortage is already the reality. The challenge for Morocco now is how to reconcile export drive and its actual need to save its natural resources. Tags: avocadoavocado exportMorocco avocadoMorocco economyMorocco exports

Ghana and Morocco to simplify residency, work toward visa-free mobility
Ghana and Morocco to simplify residency, work toward visa-free mobility

Ya Biladi

time3 hours ago

  • Ya Biladi

Ghana and Morocco to simplify residency, work toward visa-free mobility

In a significant shift in its position on the Sahara issue, Ghana has expressed its support for Morocco's autonomy plan, describing it as the «only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution» to the regional dispute. The announcement came during a joint statement delivered in Rabat by Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. The two also held a press briefing following the signing of the declaration and a memorandum of understanding on political consultations. This endorsement reflects a broader strengthening of ties between the two countries, particularly in areas such as people-to-people mobility, economic cooperation, and academic exchange. As part of this deepening partnership, both sides announced plans to simplify residency procedures for Moroccan and Ghanaian citizens, with the aim of eventually removing visa requirements altogether. Facilitating Mobility to Strengthen Cooperation In their joint statement, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting tourism, trade, and economic development between Morocco and Ghana. They also expressed their intention to finalize a visa exemption agreement for holders of ordinary passports. In the interim, Minister Bourita announced the immediate implementation of the Electronic Travel Authorization to Morocco (ETAM) system for Ghanaian citizens, allowing them to obtain visas online within 24 hours. «We've agreed to make mobility easier for our citizens», said Minister Ablakwa during the press briefing. «Although there is already a direct air link between Ghana and Morocco, the visa has been the main barrier to trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchange. Now, with this new measure, that barrier is lifted. This will significantly boost tourism and trade, especially since Morocco is a very popular destination». Investing in Human Capital Through Academic Exchange Both countries also emphasized the importance of investing in human capital and strengthening academic and cultural exchanges. Minister Bourita announced that the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) would increase the number of scholarships awarded to Ghanaian students from 90 to 140 annually, across various disciplines. «This is excellent news for us», said Ablakwa. «Our universities will also welcome Moroccan students, particularly those interested in English-language programs and African studies. We'll soon have a specific agreement in place to facilitate this academic cooperation». Economic and Agricultural Cooperation Ghana and Morocco also reaffirmed their economic partnership, which was initially cemented in 2017 during King Mohammed VI's visit to Accra through the signing of 25 cooperation agreements. According to Ablakwa, these agreements have already «greatly boosted bilateral trade». «We believe that a reciprocal visit would significantly strengthen our ties. Today's meeting lays the groundwork for a future meeting between the King and President John Dramani Mahama», he added. Looking ahead, the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture and food security, areas with strong economic potential for Africa. The partnership will focus on producing fertilizers tailored to local conditions, including soil types, climate, and staple crops. Ghana, the world's second-largest cocoa exporter, will be a key focus. «Ghana currently spends nearly $3 billion annually on food imports. Our new President is committed to reversing that trend», said Ablakwa. «Morocco's expertise in agriculture, agri-food, and fertilizer production gives it a clear advantage. Moroccan experts will soon collaborate with their Ghanaian counterparts to determine the best fertilizer type for our needs, starting with the cocoa sector, which is a vital crop for us». At the regional level, Minister Bourita praised Ghana's continued commitment to African integration, highlighting its active role in ECOWAS, its hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, and its accession as a full member of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) in October 2024.

Air Nostrum Launches Summer Routes Connecting Spain and Morocco
Air Nostrum Launches Summer Routes Connecting Spain and Morocco

Morocco World

time3 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Air Nostrum Launches Summer Routes Connecting Spain and Morocco

Doha – Air Nostrum, Iberia's regional franchise airline, has expanded its summer connectivity with new routes linking Spain and Morocco. The carrier now connects Málaga with Tangier and Casablanca, while also offering flights between Spain and Nice, France. The Málaga-Tangier route is already operational and will continue until late September. The airline has made 8,208 seats available on this connection. Currently, flights operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays until June 28, a schedule that will resume from September 2 to 30. From July 1 to 18, service will increase to three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. During peak summer season, from July 19 to August 31, the airline will further boost frequency to five weekly flights, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Málaga-Casablanca route will operate exclusively during peak summer season. From July 19 to August 30, Air Nostrum will offer 1,900 seats with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. These flights will operate under a codeshare agreement with Royal Air Maroc. Air Nostrum has also established summer routes connecting Nice with Spanish destinations. The Málaga-Nice route offers 10,400 seats, representing a 10% increase compared to last summer. This connection currently operates three times weekly on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until July 13. From July 14 to August 31, the frequency will increase to daily flights, with double service on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The airline's summer routes to Nice will be available until August 31, with a total of 31,800 seats offered across all connections. This represents a 21% increase in available seats compared to last year's summer season. Other Spanish destinations connected to Nice include Ibiza and Mallorca. The Ibiza-Nice route has the highest capacity with 13,500 available seats, while the Mallorca-Nice connection offers 7,900 seats, marking a significant 31% increase from 2024. Read also: Exclusive Helicopter Service Connects Morocco and Málaga Tags: Air NostrumMalaganew air routes

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store