ECONOMY – In 2010, Morocco celebrated its success after attracting more than 10 million tourists and recording an average annual increase of 8.7% in the number of arrivals since 2001. These results were part of the « Vision 2010 » plan, which sought to launch the tourism sector and make Morocco a renowned international destination.
The kingdom has in fact achieved 93% of the objectives targeted by the “Vision 2010” plan, with the tourism sector becoming one of the pillars of the national economy. Tourist arrivals are an important source of foreign currency, having brought more than 440 billion dirhams from 2001 to 2010. Also, directly, the development of tourism has enabled the creation of nearly 450,000 jobs.
Considering these multiple successes, an even more ambitious “Vision 2020” plan was put in place. This plan aims to take advantage of Morocco’s geographical positioning and its cultural diversity. Furthermore, managers also wish to capitalize on the solid infrastructures put in place following « Vision 2010 », with the aim of seizing all opportunities arising in the future. Concretely, “Vision 2020” aims to double the size of the sector, by three different means:
- Double tourist reception capacity by adding 200,000 beds.
- Double the number of tourists, by doubling its market share in the European market and attracting more than a million tourists from emerging countries.
- Triple the number of domestic trips, in order to consolidate regional links and cultural exchanges.
The solid foundation developed by « Vision 2010 » is characterized by increasing professionalism of the hotel workforce, a strong international marketing strategy and strong development of the country’s accessibility as a destination in its own right (redevelopment of airports and investments in road and motorway networks). For example, the “Open skies” reform allowed a large number of international airlines, mainly “low cost”, to access the Moroccan market and thus increase the flow of international tourists.
Morocco has chosen to make tourism a key point of its economy. Indeed, the country has been able to distinguish itself from its counterparts in the MENA region by focusing on quality, diversified cultural tourism. The “Vision 2010” and “Vision 2020” plans have made tourism a driver of the country’s economic growth. Today, tourism accounts for 12% of GDP and employs more than 5% of the national workforce. Tourism thus ensures constant currency liquidity and benefits from the political stability of the kingdom.
That said, this balance is relatively unstable. Even though Morocco’s political situation is stable, the kingdom is affected by international geopolitical events that have hit the MENA region and may have worsened the overall tourism situation in the Arab world. The kingdom is adapting and has taken this tense climate into consideration by putting in place reinforced security measures in order to protect Moroccans and visitors.
However, fear and concern have invaded the European continent following the attacks in Paris, thus reducing the number of tourist arrivals over the last four months. Between January and November 2015, the number of overnight stays fell by more than 7% compared to data for 2014, with the biggest drops being recorded in Ouarzazate and Essaouira where the number of overnight stays fell by 30% and 14% respectively.
If the tourism sector continues on this path, Morocco will in no way be able to achieve the objectives targeted under the “Vision 2020” plan. In anticipation, many projects have recently been inaugurated to compensate for these trends. For example, the « Wessal Bouregreg » plan which seeks to raise cultural tourism to a higher level, or the « Azur 2020 » plan which aims to promote seaside tourism by relying on an influx of tourists from various countries and which includes the development of an infrastructure intended to welcome tourists in an ecological framework.
Source: huffpostmaghreb
