With the worsening health situation in Europe and the closure of its borders, Morocco should not receive any foreign visitors during next summer and hoteliers will not be able to count than on local tourists to fill their establishments. While being cautious about a 3rd wave, the Minister of Tourism, Nadia Fettah, thinks that operators will do better than summer 2020.
Confronted for the 2nd consecutive year with a total absence of foreign arrivals, hoteliers will only be able to receive Moroccans during the next summer season. Will there be more or fewer of them than last summer?
“Domestic tourists will be more numerous than in 2020”
Médias 24 asked the Minister of Tourism and Air Transport if the summer will mobilize all nationals used to traveling during normal periods and if they would limit the damage.
Wanting to be positive, Nadia Fettah explains to us that the number of domestic tourists absolutely cannot be less than last summer because hoteliers are now on the prowl.
“It is appropriate to be optimistic because we have learned a lot of lessons from last year to plan better with all stakeholders and not have a false start when the time comes. »
“Optimistic unless a wave ruins everything”
“Knowing that we will not be caught off guard, I think that if we prepare well, more nationals will visit the main tourist destinations in the Kingdom.
“In my opinion, this will go much better than last summer, unless a 3rd, harsher wave of contamination calls into question all our preparations with new restrictive measures on movement,” says Fettah, who while remaining cautious adds that the current health situation in Morocco calls for a much better summer season than in 2020.
A label that will reassure and increase the number of nationals
Although it is still too early to comment, another source confirms the minister’s optimism by citing the label put in place in the summer of 2020 with numerous health security measures.
“In fact, today visitors who visit hotels are much more reassured than at the start of the creation of this label because the hotel reception process is completely on point.
“In addition, the aid distributed by the CNSS has enabled hoteliers to keep part of their staff but also to rehire seasonal workers if necessary,” specifies our source who wishes to remain anonymous.
Closing borders will boost domestic luxury tourism
“Finally, with the closure of the borders, there is reason to welcome the fact that the many Moroccans who are used to traveling abroad in the summer will spend their money in Morocco.
“Knowing that this high-end clientele has a significant budget and that they only frequent 5-star hotels, their presence will go a long way to saving part of the summer season,” concludes our hotelier who nevertheless hopes that wealthy nationals will diversify their destinations instead of being content to bring joy to the northern region like last summer.
In the end, knowing that it is certain that Moroccans will have no other choice than to travel in their country, the sector should therefore achieve better performances next summer than in 2020 unless a new general confinement comes to ruin everything…
source: medias24
