Latest news with #Fayda
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONMT Announces Structural Reorganization to Boost Morocco's Tourism Appeal
Rabat — The Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) announced today it is implementing a structural reorganization as part of ongoing efforts to boost Morocco's global tourism appeal. A statement from ONMT said the reorganization campaign includes the introduction of three new divisions focused on commercial, marketing, and resource support. 'With efficiency as our objective, this new organization is designed to strengthen our actions and better respond to the expectations of the global tourism market,' ONMT Director General Achraf Fayda said. He added that the new measures reflect a clear intention to streamline processes, clarify roles, and boost synergy between departments to address challenges of a rapidly evolving sector. It also aims to leverage ONMT's expertise and workforce. The tourism office has been launching a series of initiatives to promote Morocco's tourism assets, offerings, and commercial opportunities, among others. In 2024, the Moroccan tourism sector made a spectacular performance, bringing in over 17 million tourists. This exceeded the target set for 2026. By 2030, Morocco aims to attract at least 26 million visitors. The Moroccan government has pledged and committed over one billion euros in public tourism investments over the next decade. This does not count private sector funding. 'Morocco is transforming six cities hosting the 2030 World Cup, with half a billion euros allocated to each,' Fayda said earlier this month. Tags: Moroccan Tourism IndustryONMT
Morocco World
07-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Named Best Tourism Destination Partner 2025 by Italian Giant WTG
Rabat — Morocco received top honors from Italy's prestigious Welcome Travel Group (WTG), earning the title of Best Tourism Destination Partner 2025. Morocco's Tourism Office (ONMT) garnered the title during the Welcome Travel Group annual convention held this weekend in Casablanca. This major recognition reflects ONMT's commitment to promoting Morocco as a tourism destination in the Italian market. ONMT's director general Achraf Fayda received the award, presented by the WTG president. Not only does this award recognize ONMT's continuous efforts in promoting Morocco as a tourism destination for Italian travelers, but also marks a strategic turning point in relations with key Italian distribution networks. The prize also acknowledges the quality of Morocco's tourism offerings, ONMT's consistent engagement, and the strong partnership built with one of Italy's most powerful industry operators. With approximately 1,500 participants, the Welcome Travel Group conference brought together the most influential players in Italian tourism, including agency executives, tour operators, airlines, MICE agencies, and strategic partners. The event is more than a professional dimension, as it promises significant benefits in promoting Morocco' image, visibility, and business opportunities. Twelve industry publications attended alongside numerous mainstream media outlets, not counting the social media impact from participants. This event creates an exceptional opportunity to promote Morocco's tourism assets, particularly to agencies not yet offering the destination, with the aim of strengthening the country's presence in Italian tour operators. Read also: Morocco's ONMT Eyes Asian Market, Targets China as Key Tourism Giant During the convention, Fayda spoke of Morocco as a prominent tourism destination for Italian tourists, revealing ONMT's ambition to quadruple their number, which accounted to over 900,000 in 2024. Welcome Travel Group leads Italy's tourism distribution sector with an impressive network of 2,492 agencies across the country. Owned by industry giants Alpitour World and Costa Cruise, WTG alone represents 44% of Italy's travel agency market. With its 'Light In Action' strategy, ONMT continues its focused approach of strategic partnerships and growing presence in priority markets. Tags: ItalyMorocco TourismONMTWOrld Travel Group
Morocco World
07-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Aims to Quadruple Italian Tourism as Welcome Travel Group Convention Opens
Rabat — Morocco's tourism officials launched an ambitious growth strategy during the Welcome Travel Group convention that began Saturday in Bouznika. The event, hosted by Morocco's Tourism Office (ONMT), brought together key Italian tour operators and Moroccan tourism leaders. ONMT's Director General director Achraf Fayda shed light on Morocco's position as Africa's top tourism destination with 17.4 million visitors last year, mentioning the untapped potential in the Italian market. 'Last year, we welcomed less than one million Italian visitors, half of whom were Moroccans living in Italy,' he said, noting that the sector is ambitious 'to multiply this figure by two, three, or even four times.' In 2024, Morocco welcomed over 900,000 Italian tourists, making Italy among the largest outbound markets for tourists to the country, alongside France, Spain, the UK, and Germany. The Moroccan government has committed over one billion euros in public tourism investments over the next decade, not counting private sector funding. 'Morocco is transforming six cities hosting the 2030 World Cup, with half a billion euros allocated to each,' Fayda explained. Royal Air Maroc's Commercial Director Ilham Kazzini outlined the airline's expansion plans, targeting growth from 60 aircraft to 130 by 2030. 'We'll be ready for the World Cup,' she assured. Kazzini announced new direct routes between Morocco and Italy, including Marrakech-Milan in September, plus flights to Rome and Bologna. She also recalled a recent code-sharing agreement with ITA Airways, inviting the Italian carrier to develop more connections to Morocco, given the 'enormous potential' between both countries. CEO of TRA Consulting and economist at Milan-Bicocca University Andrea Giuricin delivered a presentation on his analysis of post-Covid global tourism, noting that 'the sector recovered faster than expected, surpassing 2019 levels by 2023.' Read also: Spanish Tourism Giant Ávoris Signs Strategic Agreement with ONMT He specifically commended Morocco's role in this positive trend, noting that 'Africa, especially thanks to Morocco, has experienced a very rapid recovery, aligning with current global trends.' Meanwhile, Luigi Stefanelli, the vice president of global sales for Costa Cruises introduced innovations in excursion offerings with new categorization tailored to different traveler profiles. 'We've completely redesigned our excursion program to make it more understandable for customers and easier for our partners to explain,' he said. This convention, hosting Italy's largest travel agency network under ONMT's leadership, demonstrates Morocco's commitment to strengthening its position in the Mediterranean tourism market. The country aims to diversify its tourism source markets, particularly ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Tags: Italy tourismMoroccoONMTTourism
Morocco World
14-02-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONMT To Hold Welcome Travel Group's Annual Convention in Casablanca
Rabat – Morocco's Tourism Office (ONMT) will hold the Welcome Travel Group's annual convention in Casablanca in April. The event will bring together over 1,500 travel experts from the Italian tourism industry from April 4-7, providing an opportunity to promote Morocco's tourism assets, especially Rabat, Casablanca, and El Jadida as destinations of choice. Achraf Fayda, ONMT general director signed a memorandum with Adriano Apicella, CEO of Travel Group to hold the annual convention in Casablanca. 'We see the Italian market as a real opportunity to consolidate Morocco's appeal,' ONMT said Fayda, noting that the tourism office is putting initiatives with key players in Italian tourism to fulfill this commitment. 'Through the introduction of direct air connections and targeted actions, we aim to offer Italian travelers easy access and an authentic experience, making Morocco their destination of choice,' Fayda added. ONMT said in a statement that the Welcome Travel Group represents 33% of all Italian travel agencies, with a 44% market share. Over 900,000 Italian tourists visited Morocco in 2024, making Italy among the largest outbound markets for tourists to Morocco, alongside France, Spain, the UK, and Germany. 'The Italian market accounts for over 5% of international markets,' ONMT said, noting that the dynamic is set to continue in the coming years, with average annual growth of 7-10% until 2030. Morocco celebrated the arrival of over 17.4 million tourists in 2024. This number exceeded the goal set for 2026. In January, Morocco welcomed 1.2 million tourists, marking a 27% increase compared to the same month last year. In total, an additional 272,000 tourists flocked to the North African country. 'Morocco continues its upward trend in early 2025, surpassing for the first time the symbolic milestone of one million tourists in January,' the ministry said.
