Morocco and Panama want more tourists to travel between them and are now putting a plan in place to make that happen.
Morocco’s tourism minister, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, met Panama’s vice-minister of foreign affairs, Carlos Arturo Hoyos Boyd, in Rabat on Thursday 21 May. The visit marked the first round of political talks between the two countries.
At the meeting, both sides signed a tourism agreement. It is meant to help them share know-how, promote their destinations and bring their travel industries closer together.
Ms Ammor said this step builds on a fresh start in relations after Panama backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara on 30 January 2024. She said the move fits into King Mohammed VI’s push to strengthen ties between countries in the Global South.
The agreement also opens the door to joint work on promoting destinations, growing sustainable tourism and encouraging more investment in the sector.
The deal follows a clear change in Panama’s position in 2024. It supported Morocco’s autonomy plan early that year, ending years of distance. Later in November 2024, it cut ties with the Polisario Front.
Tourism is expected to be one of the first areas to benefit.
Better flight links will be key. Morocco’s airline Royal Air Maroc is expanding long-haul routes, including towards Latin America. Panama already runs a major air hub through Tocumen airport with Copa Airlines. Both countries are looking at ways to connect their networks more closely.
They also see potential in business travel. Panama is a major centre for finance and trade, helped by the Panama Canal. Morocco is building up its offer for conferences and events in cities like Marrakech and Casablanca.
Sustainable tourism is another focus. Panama has strong experience in eco-tourism thanks to its tropical environment. Morocco is trying to make its tourism sector greener as part of its national strategy.
The wider goal is economic. Panama acts as a gateway to the Americas. Morocco links Europe and Africa through its ports and airports. By working together, both hope to open new routes for tourists and investors.
More business visits are expected next. Investors from Panama are likely to look at Morocco’s coastal resorts, while Moroccan companies are eyeing hotel and tourism opportunities in Central America.
