Morocco: tourist arrivals exceed 3.3 million in the 1st quarter

The number of tourists arriving in Morocco reached 3.3 million people at the end of the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 12.8% compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the Directorate of Financial Studies and Forecasts (DEPF).

DEPF indicates in its latest economic report that “at the beginning of 2024, the main indicators of the tourism sector (number of arrivals and overnight stays) continue their momentum. Indeed, the flow of arrivals to the destination “Morocco” increased by 12.8% at the end of the first quarter of 2024, driven by the performance of The months of March, February and January 2024 (respectively +10.2%, +17.9% and +10.4%).

By sector, this progress is due to an increase in the number of foreign tourists arriving by 15.4% and the number of Moroccans residing abroad by 9.8%, according to the same source.

As for the added value of the tourism sector, it has almost regained its level before the crisis (reference year 2019), i.e. 98.3% on average, after 80.5% in the previous year.

In addition, the DEPF Directorate indicates that the volume of nights spent in classified accommodation establishments rose by 7.3%, with a year-on-year variation, at the end of the first two months of 2024, driven by an 11% increase in non-resident nights, reduced by a decrease in overnight stays by residents. By 1%.

Compared to the end of February 2019, the overnight stay rate increased by 11.1%, after an increase of 10.7% at the end of January 2024 and 3.6% at the end of February 2023.

As for tourism revenues, they declined by 6.7%, with annual variation, at the end of February 2024, after declining by 10.5% a month ago. However, compared to their pre-crisis level, these revenues are still much higher (+40.4%).

From: Fez News website

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