Marrakech, May 1, 2026 – The Europe Today: Morocco’s tourism sector has recorded robust growth in early 2026, with foreign currency travel receipts reaching MAD 31 billion ($3.1 billion) in the first quarter, reflecting a 24% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
The North African nation welcomed 4.3 million tourists between January and March, marking a 7% year-on-year rise. Officials noted that the increase in revenue outpaced visitor growth, indicating higher spending per tourist and a shift toward a more value-driven tourism model.
Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor said the strong performance underscores the sector’s growing economic contribution to local ecosystems. She emphasized the government’s commitment to sustaining this momentum through diversification of tourism offerings, enhanced visitor experiences, and policies aimed at generating greater value across all regions.
Morocco’s tourism sector has consistently outperformed its strategic targets. In 2025, the country attracted nearly 20 million visitors, exceeding the 2026 roadmap goal of 17.5 million. Foreign currency revenues reached MAD 138 billion ($13.8 billion), surpassing the target by MAD 18 billion a year ahead of schedule.
Employment in the sector has also expanded significantly, reaching 894,000 jobs in 2025, up from 802,000 in 2022—an increase of 92,000 positions that exceeds the roadmap’s employment target for 2026.
The government’s 2023–2026 tourism roadmap, supported by an investment of $600 million, aims to further strengthen the sector by attracting 17.5 million tourists, creating 200,000 jobs, and generating MAD 120 billion in revenues. Most of these goals have already been achieved ahead of schedule.
Looking ahead, Morocco now targets 20 million international visitors in 2026 and projects arrivals could exceed 26 million by 2030, with annual tourism revenues expected to reach approximately MAD 200 billion ($20 billion).
The sector’s strong performance coincides with growing international recognition. UN Tourism recently inaugurated its first thematic office in Africa in Rabat, focused on advancing innovation in the continent’s tourism industry.
Speaking at the International Conference on Technological Innovation and Tourism Investment held in Marrakech on April 25, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais described Morocco as a leading model in innovative tourism development across Africa.
Tourism’s contribution to Morocco’s GDP has risen sharply, climbing from 3.7% in 2020 to 7.3% in 2023, and reaching 12.3% in 2024. Authorities attribute this growth to targeted investments in infrastructure, including airport expansions in Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir, alongside improvements in transport networks such as high-speed rail.
Morocco is also preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, a development expected to further boost tourism infrastructure and significantly increase international visitor flows in the coming years.
