Morocco is a key tourist source market for the Andalusian tourism sector, said Francisco Javier Fernandez, regional minister in charge of Tourism and Sport in the Andalusian government.
In a statement to MAP as part of the promotional campaign set up by the Andalusian department for the benefit of local source markets, namely Moroccan and Portuguese, Mr. Fernandez underlined that Andalusia aspires to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with Morocco in this sector.
The “Have Fun” campaign started on July 2 and will run until August 31. In this regard and for the first time, the Andalusian government will promote its region in the Kingdom.
Throughout this summer season, the Andalusian authorities in charge of the tourism sector will carry out advertising actions in Morocco, aimed at Moroccans looking for a destination for a family vacation.
“We directed this action at the Moroccan market to present our specific offer in the family tourism and leisure category,” he continues.
The choice fell on Tangier and Nador where advertising posters praising this southern Spanish region will be installed.
The regional minister stressed that Andalusia is an attractive resort region for Moroccan tourists.
“We are not only close geographically but also culturally. Moroccan vacationers visiting Andalusia are in search of history and common roots. They feel at home in Andalusia”, notes the regional minister.
The person in charge of the Tourism portfolio in the Andalusian Executive affirmed that the Moroccan source market is a growing market. “We want to consolidate it because, with the Portuguese, the Moroccans are our best customers,” he explains.
Indeed, the arrivals of Moroccan tourists in Andalusia have shown a significant increase in recent years, as confirmed by the Andalusian regional minister. According to his department, 462,301 Moroccan vacationers visited the region in 2017, a figure up 17% compared to the previous year.
“We have noticed that Moroccan vacationers frequent the Costa Del Sol seaside resort assiduously and massively. Through this campaign, we want this attendance to affect the entire Andalusian territory “Our destination offers the Moroccan tourist a range of services for each member of the family,” explains the Andalusian regional minister.
According to him, the Moroccan tourist is looking for a vacation spot combining the seaside and leisure and recreational areas, which will delight both adults and children.
In addition, “Moroccan tourists frequent this region not only in summer but also during winter where they like to go to ski resorts, cultural monuments, or observing nature”, indicates the Andalusian manager.
With this in mind, Andalusian operators in the family tourism sector and theme parks intend to visit Morocco soon to promote the region as the ideal place for family travel.
Approximately 6 million tourists classified as family tourism visit the Andalusian region.
“We strongly believe that tourism contributes to bringing together our two societies, Spanish and Moroccan, and to strengthening our neighborhood ties. It is also the best way to break taboos, participate in the rapprochement between the two peoples and contribute to better mutual knowledge”, concludes the Andalusian Minister of Tourism.
