Indicators of tourist activity have experienced “continuous improvement” during the current year, said Tuesday in Rabat, the Minister of Tourism, Crafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor. Presenting the ministry’s draft sectoral budget for the 2024 financial year before the productive sectors committee, Ms. Amour highlighted the exceptional performances achieved by the sector until the end of last September, where the number of tourists flocking to Morocco reached 11.1 million, an increase of 44% compared to the same period of 2022, while the number of nights recorded in tourist accommodation establishments reached 19.4 million. overnight stays, up around 46%. The minister also indicated that her department will continue its efforts during the year 2024 to implement the new tourism roadmap, through the development of operationalization mechanisms focused on specific competitive levers. In terms of promoting the Moroccan destination, the department will move up a gear through broadening the impact of the “Morocco, Land of Light” promotional campaign, establishing new partnerships, in addition to promoting destinations and chains on local and foreign markets, she added, noting that the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) plans to establish 10 new offices abroad, double the number of scheduled trips and work to intensify activities. marketing activities and attracting new business partners. In this sense, she announced that the ONMT will be transformed into a “Moroccan Tourism Agency”, the objective being to create an agency serving the State strategy in the field of tourism promotion, while providing this institution with the means which allow it to fully exercise its missions in an efficient manner and to strengthen the competitiveness of the Morocco destination on a global scale. Regarding handicrafts, the official indicated that exports maintained their recovery during the first eight months of 2023, recording growth of 12% compared to the same period of 2022. Handicrafts: Exports exceeded one billion DH As such, the minister stressed that exports of handicrafts reached one billion dirhams (MMDH) during the year 2022, adding that it is planned to conclude agreements agreements with international electronic platforms, and to promote craft products in several countries (France, Spain, the United States, Portugal, Italy, Germany and Japan). Furthermore, as part of the work program for the year 2024, Ms. Amour explained that her department plans to create 7 craft hubs in the trades and skills cities, and to continue the creation and expansion of vocational training establishments in order to increase reception capacity. And to add that the ministry also aims to continue the program of preserving endangered crafts, while supporting development projects, carried out by cooperatives and associations through various programs. On the other hand, Ms. Ammor indicated that 152 projects linked to the tourism sector, with a budget of 367 million dirhams (MDH), are planned, in addition to 100 projects linked to the craft sector and the social and solidarity economy with a cost of 25 MDH, noting that these projects should create 2,253 jobs. Regarding the measures taken to deal with the repercussions of the Al Haouz earthquake, the minister indicated that an amount of 711 MDH was allocated for the benefit of 767 beneficiary units. Likewise for crafts, 300 MDH were allocated for the benefit of 2,800 affected workshops employing 9,500 craftsmen, while 81 MDH were directed towards the support of 325 beneficiary units in the social and solidarity economy sector, she continued. And to note that in addition to financial measures, the efforts of the ONMT continue with tour operators and international airlines with the aim of reassuring them and encouraging them to continue programming the Morocco destination. The ministry also works in coordination with the National Tourism Confederation to combat the spread of false information, by adopting an appropriate communication strategy that reflects the real efforts made and highlights the trust enjoyed by the Moroccan destination among international partners.
source: lavieeco.com
