« We will reach the symbolic bar of 13 million visitors (foreign tourists and MRE) against 12.2 million in 2018 and that of 25 million overnight stays compared to 24 million a year earlier.

Figures consistent with observatory forecasts

« These attendance targets will certainly be achieved as well as that of travel revenue which should amount to 75 or 76 billion dirhams against 74 in 2018″, reveals the president of the observatory for whom these figures are not a surprise, knowing that he announced them to us last February.

Questioned about this rather average performance compared to the objectives of the 20-20 vision, another operator, requesting anonymity, explains it by the « total » absence of support from the supervisory ministry.

« A performance that could have been more important »

« Since 2017, the sector has been operating on autopilot because there was no roadmap from the public authorities and even less of a tourism foundation that could have given a boost to activity.

« In addition, the famous roadmap for the public and private sectors, initiated by the CNT (National Confederation of Tourism) and the minister, never saw the light of day even though it contained several encouraging measures for the private sector », affirms our interlocutor.

Not really agreeing with this analysis, Mouhid explains that on the contrary, the “more than honorable” attendance and revenue figures result from two factors linked to the actions of players in the sector.

ONMT and RAM supported the operators

« On the one hand, it is the result of the work accomplished by professionals in terms of promotion and international canvassing, not to mention the major pricing efforts that have been made in an extremely competitive market.

« Secondly, we must not deny the ONMT’s substantial efforts in terms of co-marketing in the airline sector.

« His work has significantly strengthened the coverage and air connectivity of Morocco, not to mention the efforts of the national company which has opened numerous lines to the USA, Brazil, China, etc.

The return of Egypt overshadows Morocco

« Today, we must see the reality of the market, and the 13 million arrivals must be considered as a performance, taking into account the return to the international market of competing countries in the Mediterranean basin.

« Whether it is Tunisia or Egypt in particular which made a strong comeback during 2019, we now have to reckon with this competition.

For 3 years, Morocco has gained 1 million new tourists per year

« Once again, this is great progress because if we have to take stock, Morocco gains no less than 1 million new tourists every year. Thus, in 2017, we received 11 million visitors, 12 in 2018 and certainly 13 in 2019.

« In the current context, we can only rejoice because the constantly increasing attendance shows that the attractiveness of Morocco is strengthening.

The ministerial roadmap expected by the profession

« We must also remember that the Kingdom has become the 1eraAfrican destination while competition is still tough on our continent », concludes the president who refuses to reveal the projections for the year 2020, before taking note of the roadmap of the new Minister of Tourism.