The Moroccan National Tourism Office holds its Board of Directors meeting under the banner of continuous dynamism

• The year 2023 ended with exceptional performances in favour of Morocco as a destination.
• The first half of 2024 was as dynamic as the previous year.
• The Board of Directors warmly thanked Mr Adel El Fakir for his efforts and the work he has accomplished over the past six years at the helm of the Moroccan National Tourism Office, praising the positive results and the success of the various projects carried out during his term of office. 

Rabat, 25 June 2024 – The Board of Directors of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) met on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, under the effective chairmanship of Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy. The Board reviewed the exceptional results of Morocco Destination in 2023, the year of the sector’s relaunch, as well as the record numbers recorded up to May 2024 and the most important programs and projects planned by the Office during the current year. These results reflect the dynamism of the sector, which is the result of the tremendous efforts made by the Moroccan National Tourism Office, particularly in the airline, distribution, international promotion and digitization divisions.

Thus, despite the earthquake that hit Al Haouz region in 2023, and the particular international context, Morocco Destination recorded impressive results, surpassing its main competitors, as evidenced by the number of arrivals, overnight stays and revenues, which increased by 34 per cent, 35 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. The year 2023 also saw the launch of the ambitious ‘Light in Action’ action plan, which is aligned with the tourism sector’s roadmap. In this regard, four main axes of action have been identified, related to: promotion, comprehensive digitization, doubling the number of flights and continuing to break into new markets.

After reviewing the results of 2023, the office board members presented the results recorded during the first half of the current year 2024. By the end of May 2024, nearly 6 million foreign tourists had visited Morocco, a 15 per cent increase compared to the same period last year and a 38 per cent increase compared to 2019, the benchmark year for the sector as a whole. The same was recorded for overnight stays, which reached 10.44 million at the end of April, an increase of 8 per cent compared to 2023. Travel receipts reached 31.87 billion in the last four months, the same level as in 2023 and a significant increase of 39 per cent compared to the end of April 2019.

Kicking off 2024 on a positive note

During the first six months of 2024, the teams of the Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) worked hard on all fronts. The Office doubled its partnerships with various national and international media outlets to create promotional content, multiply the broadcast of « Visit Morocco Originals » videos on digital platforms, and activate influencer campaigns in key markets.

With regard to commercial partnerships in the airline industry, the MNTO has made every effort in 2023 to develop its contractual capacity by 40 per cent in the first half of the year, with the launch of new routes to connect Morocco to all tourist-exporting markets.

With regard to its participation in the most important international tourism fairs, the Moroccan National Tourism Office shone during the major international events of the sector thanks to its innovative and distinctive pavilion, which highlighted most of the Kingdom’s regions in dedicated spaces. This effort culminated in the Moroccan National Tourism Office receiving the Best Exhibition Award at the « Fitur » 2024 International Tourism Fair in Madrid and the Travel Fair in Brussels, Belgium.

The second half of 2024 under the slogan of continuity

In order to ensure the continuity of this dynamic, the Moroccan National Tourism Office will launch several structured programs and projects during the second half of 2024 under the Light in Action scheme.

It will also create relevant content on the most important social media networks, increase its collaborations, promote the Morocco brand and promote in collaboration with prominent influencers.

Aviation and distribution will be given top priority with the aim of ensuring 4.3 million seats for the 2024-2025 winter season, an increase of 15 per cent.

The second half of 2024 will also see the promotion of intensive commercial work in traditional markets, the launch of a new conceptualization of routes, and the continued internal structuring of the office to enable it to keep pace with the Kingdom’s new tourism ambitions.

Outstanding results for M. Adel El Fakir

Following the presentation of the minutes of the Administrative Council held on 20 December 2023, the accounts for the financial year 2023 and the draft resolutions were approved by all directors, in addition to the work plan for the second half of 2024 and the structured projects approved by the Office to be aligned with Morocco’s ambition.

The Board of Directors also thanked M. Adel El Fakir for his work during the last 6 years at the head of the Moroccan National Tourism Office, while praising the positive results and the success of the various programs launched by the Office during his tenure, in particular the internal structure of the Office, the enhancement of the visibility of Morocco as a touristic destination and its radiance at the global level, the multiplication of strategic partnerships with major international tourism players, especially in the airline sector, not forgetting the success of the promotional and communication campaigns under the slogan « Morocco, Kingdom of Light », which was crowned by the success of the promotional and communication campaigns.

Finally, the members of the Council wished Mr Adel El Fakir success in his new duties as CEO of the National Airports Office, and his mission to restructure this institution, manage its strategic projects and rehabilitate the various airports of the Kingdom.