Moroccan tourism posts record $11 billion revenue

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At a Glance

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• Morocco’s tourism revenue soared to $11 billion in 2024, fueled by a 20% rise in arrivals and a doubling of Chinese visitors, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
• Marrakech and Agadir led tourist stays, with 8.4 million and 5.5 million overnight stays respectively, reflecting Morocco’s strengthened appeal as a top global destination.
• National growth hit 3% in 2024, supported by agriculture, automotive, and phosphates, while foreign trade improved with a 7.3% drop in the trade deficit.

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Morocco’s tourism sector, under the leadership of Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor, posted record-breaking figures in 2024, with revenues soaring to MAD96.9 billion ($11 billion).

The growth reflects a strong rebound in international arrivals and solid domestic efforts to position Morocco as a premier global destination.

Surge in arrivals drives sector growth

According to the latest figures, Morocco welcomed 17.4 million tourists in 2024, a 20 percent increase from the previous year and a 33 percent jump over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Foreign tourists rose by 23 percent, while Moroccans Living Abroad (MREs) grew by 16.7 percent, fueled by strong demand from key markets like France, the UK, Spain, Italy, and nearly doubling of Chinese visitors (+98 percent).

Classified accommodation establishments recorded 24.1 million overnight stays, up 10.3 percent, driven mainly by non-resident tourists (+16 percent). Marrakech and Agadir remained top destinations, with Marrakech registering 8.4 million overnight stays (+11 percent) and Agadir 5.5 million (+17 percent).

Macroeconomic resilience supports momentum

Beyond tourism, Morocco’s broader economic performance remained resilient. National economic growth reached 3 percent in 2024, underpinned by key sectors such as agriculture, automotive, aeronautics, and phosphates.

Foreign trade also showed positive signs, with a 7.3 percent reduction in the trade deficit as imports fell by 2.9 percent and exports stabilized (+0.2 percent) by November 2024. The country’s official reserve assets rose 4 percent year-on-year to MAD373.1 billion($40.33 billion), covering approximately five months of imports.

Looking ahead to 2025

With an expected GDP growth rate of 3.5 percent in 2025, Morocco is set to maintain its upward trajectory through continued sector diversification and a strategic focus on natural resource management, particularly in phosphates.

Minister Ammor emphasized the sector’s role in Morocco’s broader economic story, saying, “We are entering 2025 with strong momentum, diversified markets, and a clear ambition to position Morocco among the world’s top travel destinations.”