From August 14 to 21, the El Corte Inglés shopping centers in the Costa del Sol region hosted a Moroccan cultural and tourist week. This event initiated by the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) demonstrates the proximity and crossed interests between the two countries in terms of tourism. Head of the international customer Morocco department for El Corte Inglés, Gaël Vignon talks to Yabiladi about the interest of the Iberian market for Moroccan tourist customers.
Spain is breaking records for tourist numbers. Moroccan tourists have been increasing in number in recent years. What are the statistical elements and habits relating to Moroccan tourists? Figures published by the port authorities of Algeciras and Tarifa indicate that more than 2,600,000 Moroccan passengers transit between Spain and Morocco between June and October. It will obviously be necessary to add to this already impressive figure the number of passengers landing at Malaga airport at the same time. These results allow us to understand why Moroccan tourism constitutes one of the pillars of the economy of seaside towns in southern Spain, particularly on the Costa Del Sol. Every summer, hundreds of thousands of Moroccans pass through Andalusia and position themselves at the top of the sales rankings of our shopping centers, not only on the coast, but also in more remote cities like Granada, for example. There is no exception, whether in El Corte Inglés Marbella, our flagship center in Andalusia, or in our Supercor supermarkets, our discount brand outlets like El Corte Inglés Mijas, or even El Corte Inglés Malaga, located a stone’s throw from the historic center of the city, the Moroccan tourist becomes one of the main protagonists of local shopping throughout the summer.
The Moroccans talk about Spain for its beaches, its big football clubs, its tapas, but also for the shopping. What are the advantages of Iberian businesses compared to other European countries? We offer a wide range of local fashion brands for women, men and children, as well as fashion accessories, leather goods and shoes offering excellent value for money. Brands such as Sfera, Tintoretto, Énfasis, Emidio Tucci, Dustin, La Touche, Cotton Juice, etc., represent real drivers of visits to El Corte Inglés centers. The magnificent El Corte Inglés perfumeries as well as the sports, Sound & Image, as well as jewelry departments, offer an undeniable competitive advantage and also generate a particular enthusiasm for the Moroccan public. And then, of course, Spain allows the most demanding shoppers to find all the major luxury brands available between Madrid, Barcelona and Marbella, all within an hour’s flight or boat ride. Let’s also remember that the summer sales allow you to shop while benefiting from discounts of up to 70% in all our department stores. Finally, one of the major reasons for the success of shopping in Spain lies in the fact that Moroccans can buy tax-free, with one of the highest tax refund rates in Europe, up to 15.7%, and with no minimum purchase! Without forgetting that the Moroccan can also benefit from the 10% Reward reduction card offered by El Corte Inglés to foreign tourists.
