The current improvement in the tourism sector does not spare the Tetouan coast. The sector recorded more than 461,000 overnight stays at the end of October, up 25% compared to the same period of 2016. According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, national tourism is among the main concerned and accounts for almost two thirds with 281,000 overnight stays, followed by international tourism which takes a quarter with 120,600 overnight stays.
The figures clearly prove that national tourism is the undisputed master and that the local customer is one of the most loyal to the tourism sector of Tetouan and its surroundings. The destination is also a place of stay and not of passage as evidenced by the average stay which reached 3 days, in comparison with Tangier, a traditional city of passage where the average does not exceed two days.
Contrary to all appearances, it is French tourists who take the largest share with more than 9,000 arrivals, followed closely by the Spanish with 8,800 who, despite their proximity, occupy second place. American tourists also entered the podium, occupying third place.
Note that these figures do not take into consideration private accommodation, which today mainly involves applications on the web and thus escapes any control. In summer, their number is difficult to estimate, but it could easily reach 50 to 100,000 additional nights in the towns of Mdiq and Martil in particular. Indeed, during the summer period, many residents become hoteliers and host tourists in their homes, according to local hoteliers. Some even prefer to move temporarily and rent their entire home.
If on the security side, most are not kidding when declaring tenants to the police, it is generally a deadweight loss that is difficult to assess for the tax authorities and local authorities.
source: the economist
