Tourism: Morocco is aiming to rank among the top 15 destinations in the world by 2030.

The first "Morocco Showcase Summit: Tourism, Hospitality, Invest" was a reminder of the strengths of the tourism sector of Morocco. The event also allowed us to highlight the innovative initiatives of the kingdom to promote harmonious and inclusive development, with the ambition to classify Morocco among the top 15 destinations in the world by 2030.

The minister of Tourism, Arts and Crafts, and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, took the floor during the opening of the "Morocco Showcase Summit: Tourism, Hospitality, Invest" to remind the audience of the growth enjoyed by the tourism sector in Morocco and said that at the end of October 2024, the country had hosted 14.6 million tourists.

This remarkable performance is based on strategic investments, including the $200 million mobilized in an emergency after the crisis of COVID-19 and to preserve jobs and reopen the hotels in optimal conditions, she continued, noting that Morocco has been resilient in the face of these figures despite several challenges, such as the earthquake of 2023, thanks to effective management and national unity.

She also touched on the topic of inclusive tourism, which is a "key element" for the development and integration of all the regions of Morocco in the dynamic national tourism, while recalling that it is a major focus of the new roadmap for the sector.

To add to that, Morocco is aiming to rank among the top 15 destinations in the world by 2030 by welcoming an estimated 26 million tourists annually, and this is through a roadmap structured around five key priorities, namely the development of a range of focuses on the experiences, rather than on the destination, the increase in air capacity of 20% per year, the strengthening of marketing and promotion, investment promotion, as well as the development of human resources to support this growth.

This project also includes significant social policy initiatives such as the expansion of health insurance and improving wages, which create a stable and inclusive environment to accompany this transformation, she said, recalling that the joint organization of the World Cup 2030 with Spain and Portugal represents an unprecedented opportunity for Morocco because it will shed light on the infrastructure, the image, and the cultural riches of the country while strengthening the social and economic development of its regions.

And to argue that the government plans to add 150,000 additional beds by 2030, adapted to the identity of the different regions, and is also working on flagship projects such as amusement parks cultural tours, and astronomical, to diversify its tourism offer and enjoy all the regions of the country to this momentum while consolidating its position as a key destination for investors and travelers.

Co-organized by the Société Marocaine d'Ingénierie Touristique (SMIT) and API Events on 19 and 20 November 2024 in Casablanca, this summit brings together over 300 investors, hoteliers, and tourism leaders from 15 countries and offers the participants the opportunity to discover the potential of the tourism markets that are the most attractive in the world.

In addition to lectures and panel discussions, this event has facilitated business meetings aimed at strengthening the links between the key players in the hotel and tourism industry and promoting investment in the sector in Morocco. The discussions focused on strategic topics, such as the development of hotel infrastructure, the diversification of the tourist offer, and the integration of technology in the management of the sector.