Stellar Growth in Morocco's Tourism Industry
As of June 2026, Morocco has successfully welcomed approximately 9.4 million tourists, marking a notable 6% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. This encouraging data comes from the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF), which highlights the robust performance of the nation's tourism sector in the first half of the year. This growth is attributed to a consistent rise in arrivals from key international markets, combined with an uptick in tourism revenues, indicating a vibrant and resilient industry.
Among the primary source markets for Moroccan tourism, France showed a 9% increase in visitor numbers, while Germany experienced a remarkable 14% surge. Other notable increases were recorded from Belgium (9%), the Netherlands (10%), Italy (6%), and Poland, which saw an impressive 32% rise in arrivals. Additionally, the United Kingdom and the United States also contributed positively, with increases of 4% and 9%, respectively, underscoring the global appeal of Morocco as a travel destination.
Positive Economic Indicators and Destination Performance
The DEPF's report also sheds light on the strong economic performance of the tourism sector during the first quarter of 2026, where the added value generated by tourism expanded by 8.1%, building on an 8.7% increase in the same quarter of 2025. This growth is complemented by an improvement in tourist accommodation activities, with overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments rising by 9% by the end of May compared to the previous year.
Several Moroccan destinations outperformed the national average, with Ouarzazate leading the pack with a remarkable 24% increase in overnight stays. Rabat followed closely with an 18% growth rate, while Agadir recorded a 13% increase. Other cities such as Casablanca and Marrakech also demonstrated solid growth at 12% and 10%, respectively. Tangier and Errachidia posted increases of 8%, while Fez, Essaouira, and Al Haouz recorded rises of 7%, 6%, and 4% respectively.
Financially, the tourism sector has shown impressive resilience, with travel receipts reaching nearly MAD 53.8 billion (approximately $5.9 billion) by the end of May 2026, reflecting a significant 14.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The continued growth in visitor arrivals, overnight stays, and tourism revenues further underscores the vital role of Morocco's tourism industry in bolstering the country's economic landscape.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
