10.3 Million Tourists Visited Morocco in 2016

A total of 10.3 million tourists visited Morocco in 2016, an increase of 1.5% compared to 2015.

The number of foreign tourists (TES) decreased by 0.9%, while arrivals of Moroccans living abroad (MRE) increased by 4%, according to statistics published by the Observatory on Tourism in Morocco for December 2016, citing data provided by the General Directorate of National Security.

Spanish, Dutch and Belgian tourist arrivals increased by 2%, 3% and 2% respectively, while arrivals from the United Kingdom, Germany and France have decreased by 6%, 2% and 1%. While at the end of 2016, the Chinese and Russian markets increased by 32,329 and 23,921 additional arrivals compared to 2015.

Quoting data provided by tourist accommodation professionals, the Observatory noted that total overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments increased by 4.5% compared to the end of 2015, registering a 1.4% increase in non-resident tourists and an 11% increase in residents.

The two tourist centers of Marrakech and Agadir accounted for 60% of the total overnight stays in the past year, registering increases of 6% and 4% respectively, the Observatory said. Other destinations posted contrasting results, with a 6% growth in Casablanca and 9% in Tangier, while a considerable decrease was registered in Rabat and Fes with -6%.

At the end of 2016, revenues generated by the tourist activity of non-residents in Morocco amounted to MAD 63.24 billion against 61.15 billion in 2015, marking an increase of +3.4%.

The Observatory also disclosed that during the month of November 2016 the number of tourist arrivals at border posts increased by 11.2% compared with 2015 (+14.4% for TES and 7.4% for MREs).