Morocco: The leading tourist destination in Africa

Editorial: Africa Eye

Moroccan authorities announced on Thursday that the Kingdom has become the leading tourist destination in Africa in 2024, achieving an unprecedented record in the number of visitors. This statement was made by Mustapha Baitas, the official spokesperson for the Moroccan government, during a press conference held in Rabat.

Baitas confirmed that Morocco welcomed 17.4 million tourists in 2024, marking a 20% increase compared to 2023, when the number of visitors stood at 14.5 million. With this achievement, the Kingdom reached its target initially set for 2026, which was to attract 17.5 million tourists.

In a separate statement, the Ministry of Tourism highlighted that this accomplishment reflects the efforts made to strengthen the tourism sector, which is the second-largest source of foreign currency for the country after remittances from Moroccan expatriates. Tourism revenues amounted to approximately $10 billion in 2023, compared to $11.6 billion generated by remittances from Moroccans living abroad.

It is worth noting that Morocco is preparing to host major sporting events and international conferences in the coming years, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup in partnership with Spain and Portugal. These events are part of the Kingdom’s strategy to enhance its global tourism standing.

This success represents a significant boost for the tourism sector, a fundamental pillar of Morocco’s economy, and reaffirms the country’s ability to attract more visitors as part of its ambitious plans for the future.