The Moroccan tourism sector, strongly impacted by the health crisis, is facing a drop in foreign currency revenue. This decline is estimated since the start of the year at 60% of its revenue.
In the first quarter, the sector experienced a 7% decline in its added value compared to an increase of 2.9% in 2019, according to the latest statistics. During the deconfinement, the crisis prolonged and led to a significant decline in revenues which accumulated a drop of 71% under 2? quarter, a loss of 11 billion DH. In six months, this drop stood at 33.2%, or 11 billion DH, notes Actueco.
Regarding tourist arrivals, they experienced a drop of 63% at the end of June compared to 59% for overnight stays in accommodation establishments classified by 59%. In June, on the other hand, the number of overnight stays amounted to 68,199, a drop of 97% in one year. For DEPF analysts, the sector should experience an improvement in its situation in the coming days, particularly in terms of local tourism with the revival of the sector also favored by the resumption of domestic flights on June 25.
As for the withdrawal of the flow of international arrivals, it is expected to be between 60 and 80%, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). As a result, it should lead to a decline in global tourism spending estimated between 800 and 1000 billion dollars, or -60% compared to the previous year. In a situation note, the DEPF informed that the impact of this crisis for the year 2020 at Morocco equates to a drop of 69% for tourist arrivals, 60% for foreign exchange earnings and around 50% for jobs.
source: bladi.net
