Tourism revenues in Morocco saw a 1.6% increase by the end of May 2024, rebounding from a 4.2% decline in the first quarter of the year, according to the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF).
“Tourism revenues improved by 10.9% during the first two months of the second quarter of 2024, resulting in a 1.6% growth by the end of May 2024, following a 4.2% decrease in the first quarter of 2024,” stated the DEPF in its latest economic report.
Additionally, the number of overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments surged by 15% during the first two months of the second quarter of 2024, after a 2.9% increase in the first quarter of 2024. The total volume of these overnight stays grew by 8.3% over the first five months of 2024, driven by a 13% rise in stays by non-residents. Consequently, tourist arrivals in Morocco exceeded 7.4 million in the first half of 2024, marking a 13.9% increase.
This growth is attributed to a 16.3% rise in foreign tourist arrivals, which accounted for 54.2% of total arrivals. Arrivals of Moroccans residing abroad (MRE) also grew by 11.2% by the end of June 2024, making up 45.8% of total arrivals.
More than 4.1 million arrivals were recorded at Morocco’s border posts in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a 14.8% increase, following a 12.8% rise in the first quarter of 2024. This performance was driven by a 17.1% increase in foreign tourist arrivals and a 12.3% increase in MRE arrivals, after respective increases of 15.4% and 9.8% by the end of March 2024.
Following the exceptional 55.8% growth recorded in the first quarter of 2023, the value added by the tourism sector improved by 1.9% in the first quarter of 2024.
This growth likely accelerated in the second quarter of 2024, as evidenced by the strong performance of various sector indicators during this period.
