In an article, the publication emphasizes that the decision of the U.S. federal agency in charge of public health (CDC), dated August 29, to remove Morocco from the category of high-risk countries of COVID-19 (where Tunisia, Seychelles, Canada or France remain) to make it enter that of moderate risk countries, is “likely to further accelerate the recovery of the tourism sector”.
With 300,000 annual arrivals, the United States was, before the crisis, the fifth largest provider of international tourists to Morocco, tied with Italy and Belgium, but far behind France (1.8 million travelers in 2018), Spain (800,000), the United Kingdom (400,000) and Germany (400,000), says Jeune Afrique.
Between the months of May and July, the country has exceeded 4 million arrivals, an increase of 1% compared to the same period of 2019, notes the magazine, adding that this influx of tourists is mainly carried by Moroccans abroad, who find the rhythm of a summer return to the country after two difficult years of COVID-19.
Airport activity recorded at the end of July an activity representing 70% of that of 2019, according to the National Office of Airports (Onda), the magazine further notes.
Employing before the crisis nearly 550,000 people and generating a turnover of $ 2.2 billion for 2019, according to data from the International Tourism Organization, the sector is “strategic” for the Kingdom where the hotel giants are all present, and their recent activity “proves their confidence in the potential” of the country, maintains the same source.
“They are more dynamic than in any country in sub-Saharan Africa,” the magazine said, citing the 2020 report by the consulting firm W Hospitality, which lists new projects by international hotel chains every year.
Radisson has committed to the creation or rebranding of nine hotels in 2021, four of which opened in the same year, while “Accor, Ascott [Citadines], BWH [Best Western Hotels] and Marriott International were all active in Morocco last year, contributing to an 18% increase in the number of rooms under development,” notes W Hospitality, quoted by Young Africa.
