More and more misleading information is circulating on social media regarding a decline in tourist arrivals to Morocco in 2025. However, official statistics paint a radically different picture. In 2024, Morocco recorded a new tourism milestone with 17.4 million visitors, a 20% increase compared to 2023, according to figures released by the Ministry of Tourism in January 2025.
This record performance is part of a sustained growth trend that continues into 2025. By the end of June 2025, travel-generated revenue reached MAD 54 billion, marking a +9.6% increase over the same period in 2024. These figures, published by the Observatoire du Tourisme (Tourism Observatory), the official reference institution, strongly contradict the pessimistic narratives circulating on digital platforms.
Breakdown by Source Markets: Broad-Based Growth
A detailed analysis of arrivals by country of origin reveals a generally positive trend. According to the Tourism Observatory, as of June 2025:
- France: 485,000 arrivals in June 2025, a 14% increase compared to June 2024 (424,000 arrivals).
France, a traditional stronghold for Moroccan tourism, continues to grow despite European economic challenges. This growth is also accompanied by a notable geographical diversification, with strong gains from other key markets.
In February alone, Morocco welcomed 1,396,177 tourists, up from 1,147,999 a year earlier, representing a 22% increase. British visitors stand out as a driving force in this diversification of the tourism base.
Economic Impact: Tourism as a National Growth Engine
The tourism sector reaffirms its role as a key economic pillar. Tourism currently represents 7% of Morocco’s GDP, outperforming many other strategic sectors. This significant share is bolstered by strong multiplier effects on employment and investment.
Foreign currency revenues from non-resident travel exceeded MAD 45.12 billion by the end of May, an 8.5% year-on-year increase, according to the Tourism Observatory. These inflows contribute substantially to Morocco's trade balance and help fund strategic imports.
Accommodation Capacity: Record Overnight Stays and Hotel Optimization
Tourism infrastructure is effectively supporting this sustained growth. In 2024, Morocco recorded 28.7 million overnight stays, a 12% increase compared to 2023.
The growth in overnight stays, which outpaces the growth in arrivals, signals an increase in average stay duration—a positive indicator of visitor satisfaction and the appeal of Moroccan destinations. The improved hotel occupancy rates directly enhance the sector’s profitability and validate ongoing investments in hospitality capacity.
Projections for 2025–2030: Aiming for 26 Million Tourists
Morocco’s strategic ambitions are grounded in strong fundamentals. The country aims to welcome 26 million tourists by 2030, a goal supported by preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2030. According to projections by Sogecapital Gestion, the asset management arm of Société Générale Group, tourism could generate up to MAD 120 billion in revenue by 2030, thanks to increased hospitality capacity.
These projections come in a favorable macroeconomic context. The national economy is expected to grow by 4.6% in 2025, according to the Ministry of Economy, creating an environment conducive to tourism investment.
Nuances and Challenges: Between Perception and Reality
Despite these undeniable quantitative achievements, the sector faces important qualitative challenges. Negative perceptions on social media contrast sharply with strong tourism indicators. This disconnect between perception and statistical reality highlights the critical importance of managing Morocco’s image as a destination.
Industry professionals also point to significant seasonal variations and emphasize the need to analyze trends over longer periods to avoid drawing premature conclusions from isolated data points.
Conclusion: A Nuanced but Unquestionable Success Story
A factual analysis of official data leaves no doubt: Morocco's tourism sector is thriving in 2025. With 17.4 million visitors in 2024, MAD 54 billion in H1 2025, and continued growth across all key indicators, Morocco is solidifying its position as Africa’s top tourism destination.
That said, this remarkable performance comes with strategic challenges: managing digital reputation, maintaining service quality amid rising volumes, and ensuring balanced geographical distribution of tourist flows. The sector’s future success depends on turning quantitative growth into sustainable qualitative development—a goal at the heart of Morocco’s tourism strategy for 2025–2030.
Major infrastructure investments in hotels and transport, coupled with the expected benefits of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, put Morocco on track for exceptional tourism growth—provided the balance between economic development and the preservation of destination authenticity is maintained.
Impact on Real Estate: An Opportunity Worth Exploring?
This exceptional tourism momentum is having a significant impact on Morocco's real estate market. Investors are right to question both opportunities and risks.
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