Morocco’s Tourism Sector Marks Strong Recovery and Record Growth in 2024

Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s tourism sector continued its robust rebound in 2024, with newly released data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP) indicating a significant surge across key economic indicators, confirming the industry’s full recovery and expansion beyond pre-pandemic levels.

According to the HCP’s Tourism Satellite Account, tourism GDP rose by 38.4% compared to 2019, reaching MAD 116.2 billion ($12.5 billion) in 2024. The sector’s contribution to the national GDP also increased from 6.8% to 7.3%, underscoring tourism’s growing importance to the Moroccan economy.

Domestic tourism consumption — comprising spending by both international visitors and Moroccan tourists — reached MAD 201.7 billion ($21.8 billion) in 2024, marking a 42.6% rise from 2019 when it totaled MAD 141.4 billion ($15.28 billion). The HCP attributed this upward trend primarily to increased spending by international tourists.

Inbound tourism consumption surged by 46.8%, rising from MAD 93.2 billion ($10.07 billion) in 2019 to MAD 136.9 billion ($14.8 billion) in 2024. Domestic and outbound tourism consumption also saw strong growth, expanding by 34.6% to reach MAD 64.8 billion ($7 billion).

As a result, the share of international tourism in total consumption climbed to 67.9%, compared with 65.9% in 2019, while the share of domestic and outbound tourism dipped slightly to 32.1%.

Tourism production also recorded notable gains, rising from MAD 127.8 billion ($13.8 billion) in 2019 to MAD 181.9 billion ($19.66 billion) in 2024—an increase of 42.3%. The sector’s value added grew from MAD 70.4 billion ($7.61 billion) to MAD 96.4 billion ($10.42 billion), marking a 37% rise. HCP noted that a 46% increase in taxes on tourism products contributed significantly to the overall growth in tourism GDP.

The latest figures further highlight Morocco’s exceptional tourism performance in 2024, a year in which the country welcomed a record 17.4 million visitors. Tourism revenues reached MAD 112 billion ($10.42 billion), representing a 43% increase compared to 2019.

Overall, the data confirms that Morocco’s tourism industry has not only recovered from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but has also achieved new benchmarks, reinforcing its role as a key driver of national economic growth.