Tourist receipts in foreign currency exceeded 93.6 billion dirhams (MMDH) at the end of 2022, an increase of 119% compared to 2019, and 170% compared to last year, said Tuesday in the Chamber advisers, the head of government, Aziz Akhannouch.
In response to a central question during the plenary session devoted to monthly oral questions centered on the “national tourism policy”, Mr. Akhannouch indicated that all the indicators of the sector continue their upward rhythm at the start of the year with a 17% growth in tourist arrivals in February 2023 compared to the same period in 2019.
And to add that tourist receipts in foreign currencies recorded in January and February of the current year amount to more than 16 billion dirhams, up 51% compared to the same period in 2019, and more than 400% compared to January and February of last year.
He also said that the number of overnight stays recorded in classified tourist accommodation establishments has doubled compared to 2021, to exceed 19 million, an increase of 192%, noting that internal tourism represented 50% of attendance. classified tourist establishments, compared to 38% before the crisis.
Thanks to the efforts made and the good management of the post-pandemic period, in addition to the great success of the vaccination operation, Morocco has experienced a very strong recovery after the opening of the borders in March 2022, said Mr. Akhannouch, recalling that between March and December 2022, Morocco received 11 million tourists, representing a growth of 292% and 391% respectively compared to 2021 and 2020.
In just 10 months, he continued, the sector recovered 84% of tourists, compared to 2019 considered as the reference year, which represents a recovery rate higher than the world average estimated at 63%.
“Since its appointment by His Majesty the King and its inauguration by Parliament, the government has attached particular importance to the sector, as one of the driving forces of the national economy, and has been working to implement an unprecedented recovery plan. focused on supporting actors, promoting the Moroccan product and improving training,” he said.
The emergency plan put in place by the government has been successful, as it has made it possible to support players in the tourism sector, help tourism businesses to overcome the negative repercussions of the health crisis and preserve jobs, concluded the Head of Government.
