Hit hard by the crisis induced by the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism sector in Morocco is slowly recovering after a free fall having impacted the national economy which derives a significant part of its income from it.
With the easing of travel restrictions, domestic tourism appears to initially give a glimmer of hope to the national tourism industry although it is still paralyzed by the closure of certain cities.
Moreover, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which is holding the 112th session of its Executive Council in Tbilisi (Georgia) from September 15 to 17 with the participation of Morocco, highlights the potential of domestic tourism in the service of the economic recovery of many destinations around the world.
“Domestic tourism is expected to recover faster than international travel, making it an attractive springboard for both developed and developing countries to recover from the economic and social effects of the pandemic,” said the United Nations specialized agency on Monday, which earlier provided a comprehensive overview of the impact of the pandemic, both in tourist numbers and revenue losses.
The figures speak for themselves. The decline in the flow of international arrivals is estimated between 60% and 80% for the year 2020, which will lead to a drop in global tourism spending between 800 and 1000 billion dollars, or -60% compared to the previous year.
In Morocco, the estimated impact of this crisis for the year 2020 is a drop of 69% for tourist arrivals, 60% for foreign exchange earnings and around 50% loss of jobs, underlined the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF) in its economic report for the month of August.
At the end of the first six months of this year, revenues fell by 33.2%, or a loss of 11.1 billion dirhams. The number of tourist arrivals in Morocco also fell by 63% at the end of June 2020 while the number of nights spent in classified accommodation establishments fell by 59%.
“A more favorable development, although modest, is expected over the coming months, fueled particularly by the revival of the local tourist market,” according to DEPF analysts who are fueling their optimism based on the health measures introduced by the authorities at the end of June, authorizing the opening of tourist accommodation activity, conditioned by measures allowing, initially, the exploitation of only 50% of accommodation capacities, combined with the resumption of domestic flights.
Added to this are the latest government decisions, in particular the granting of CNSS benefits until the end of the year to eligible employees, as well as the opening of borders to foreigners under certain conditions. Except that, for professionals in the sector, these measures are insufficient to save the industry, especially since it will take time to restore traveler confidence and return to pre-crisis levels.
In the medium term, Morocco’s response to the health crisis to recover the tourism sector is reflected in a program contract combining public and private actors and covering the period 2020-2022. The said plan is structured around three important pillars: preservation of the economic fabric and employment, start-up assistance and complete restructuring of the sector.
If we see the light at the end of the tunnel for Moroccan tourism, the Covid-19 pandemic does not seem any closer to ending despite global efforts to develop a vaccine. The big challenge today is to keep this sector, which is a true national flagship, standing. And then, we must not forget that Morocco has always demonstrated its ability to make the best of even the most difficult situations.
source:leseco.ma
