Morocco Aims to Attract 30 Million Visitors by 2030

Tourism in Morocco, which will be co-hosting 2030 FIFA World Cup along with Spain and Portugal, is gaining ground as it has welcomed 15.9 million tourists by end of November, exceeding the Tourism Ministry’s target of 15 million.

This marked a 20% increase from the previous year, consolidating the country’s position as the most sought after tourist destinations in North Africa.

In fact, more than 2.8 million tourists have visited Morocco since the beginning of October till November. The arrivals at the end of September stood at 13.1 million, an increase of around two million compared with the same period in 2023.

The Moroccan government has put in place effective strategies with a clear roadmap to attract over 17.5 million tourists by 2026 and 26 million tourists by 2030, further boosting its economy and showcasing its unique cultural heritage to the world.

As part of its plan to improve the infrastructure by 2030, the government is expanding airports such as Marrakech, Casablanca, and Agadir, roads and transportation networks, as well as increasing the hotel rooms by adding 150,000 new rooms by 2030, and commercial services. The government’s tourism roadmap for 2023-2026 aims to reach $12 billion in foreign exchange earnings by 2026.

Besides, the Moroccan government is also developing infrastructure in six of its cities – Rabat, Casablanca, Fes, Tangier, Marrakesh and Agadir – which will host the FIFA World Cup matches.

Half a dozen stadiums in these cities are being renovated to showcase the North African nation as the best bet and plans are underway to construct a new 115,000-seat stadium near Casablanca to host the final match of the tournament.

Jumps 10 Places

Morocco has made significant progress in the world ranking of tourism revenues of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), moving from 41^st to 31^st place between 2019 and 2023, according to Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy.

This remarkable rise, one of the strongest among the top 50 global destinations, demonstrates the dynamism and resilience of the Moroccan tourism sector, as well as the effectiveness of the strategies put in place, the ministry noted in a press release.

The country’s achievements have not gone unnoticed, with Bloom Consulting’s 2024-2025 Country Brand Ranking/Tourism Edition report elevating Morocco to second place in Africa’s tourism rankings, surpassing South Africa for the first time.

The report also highlighted Morocco’s advancements in social media engagement, online performance, and overall destination appeal, as well as its resilience in overcoming challenges such as the devastating earthquake in September 2023.

Imad Barrakad, chief executive of the Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development, emphasised the importance of developing infrastructure early to accommodate the expected influx of visitors.

“The World Cup will happen in six cities, and we have to develop the infrastructure to get ready for the event. It is very important to have more hotels and more activities to do and it’s something that we have to work on early,” Barrakad told a UAE-based English daily The National.

The country is also seeking foreign investment to develop hotels, theme parks, beach resorts, and exhibition centres. “We are very close to the GCC market and investors from the GCC are welcome to invest. We are here to help them,” Barrakad added.

To attract investors, Morocco launched its Investment Charter in 2023, offering incentives such as government cash contributions, VAT exemptions, and custom duty exemptions. The Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development is targeting an increase in foreign direct investment in the tourism industry from 20% to 30% by 2026.