The influx of German tourists to Morocco recorded growth of 40% year-on-year, going from 484,639 in 2022 to 679,024 in 2023. The Kingdom is now aiming to reach the mark of one million visitors from this country by 2025. Zoom.
The evolution of German tourist arrivals in Morocco is a story of resilience, adaptation and ambition. From high pre-pandemic attendance to an almost total shutdown during the health crisis, this market was able to overcome obstacles to return to growth. In 2019, the reference year, Morocco recorded 648,954 tourist arrivals from Germany. But the year 2020 marked a sudden break with only 79,077 arrivals, a drop of 88%, according to the new Toolbox Taskforce ONMT (Moroccan National Tourism Office)/CNT (National Tourism Confederation) on the German market, consulted by Le360. This drop is attributable to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to travel restrictions across the world and an overall reduction in tourism demand due to health and economic uncertainties.
In 2021, the number of German tourist arrivals continued to decline, reaching 38,894, the lowest point in this five-year period. The year 2022 saw, on the other hand, a significant rebound to 484,639 arrivals, signaling a partial recovery stimulated by the easing of travel restrictions and the improvement in the health situation. There is also a catch-up effect, where pent-up demand for travel began to materialize once conditions permitted. In 2023, the number of arrivals reached 679,024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, a sign of a strong recovery and renewed interest in the destination. And in 2025, the Kingdom expects the arrival of one million tourists from the European country.
Air connectivity between Morocco and Germany has also seen notable developments, as evidenced by the figures relating to the capacity of seats marketed by partner airlines. Indeed, after a drop to 340,686 seats for the period 2022-2023 (compared to 445,407 seats in 2019-2020), a significant jump to 449,411 seats was observed for the year 2023-2024, marking growth of +32%.
The year 2023 was also marked by flagship actions aimed at promote Morocco as a preferred destination to the German market. The awarding of the Kingdom’s pavilion with the prize for the best stand in the Africa region at the ITB 2024 show, B2B campaigns with Condor Airlines and visibility during major events such as the Festival of Lights in Berlin (which saw the participation of 3 million visitors) contributed to strengthening the attractiveness of Morocco.
Roadshows and fam-trips also allowed nearly 1,000 travel agents to discover the riches of Morocco, strengthening its positioning on the German market. In addition, the attributes valued by German visitors, such as sunshine, cultural heritage and the diversity of experiences, highlight the suitability of the Kingdom with the expectations of German tourists, particularly those looking for relaxation (“zen attitude”) and new experiences (“curious experimenter”). With Germany expected to be the leading source market in Europe by 2030, it is becoming imperative for Morocco to strategically target its tourists, estimates Zoubir Bouhoute, tourism consultant. “By 2030, Germany is expected to occupy second place in the world in terms of market emissions, while placing itself first in Europe. This segment therefore represents a considerable opportunity to stimulate the tourism industry in the country. It is one of the most powerful economies in Europe, with a wealthy middle class that has purchasing power necessary for international travel. By targeting the German market, Morocco can attract a constant flow of tourists,” he observes. “Direct flights to main Moroccan cities from German airports facilitate access to the country. It is therefore essential to implement targeted promotion strategies, increase the visibility of Morocco in Germany and guarantee quality services to meet the needs of German travelers. By investing in the promotion and improvement of the tourist experience, the Kingdom could quickly become a preferred destination for this clientele,” he points out.
source: fr.le360.ma
