Following the re – opening of borders, the strategy intended to guarantee a significant tourism reawakening and an influx of foreign tourists.

Fatima-Zahra Ammor, Morocco’s Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social Economy, said her department has established a tourist industry kickstart strategy in response to the government’s policy to open up borders.

Ammor announced the news during a testimony in the House of Councilors, Morocco’s upper chamber, in response to a comment about the “emergency plan to support tourist industry and the actions taken in the sectors of tourism, crafts, social economy, and solidarity.”

Ammor highlighted that the ministry’s plan will be carried out in collaboration with international tour operators such as Global Caravan and FTI Touristik, as well as airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Transavia. The minister also emphasised the ministry’s emphasis on various marketing promotion channels, including digital platforms.

According to Ammor, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) mediated the partnership between the ministry and tourism operators.

According to the minister, Morocco has reached 35 agreements with 15 partners to ensure a significant tourism revival and an influx of foreign tourists following the reopening of borders.

Ammor also indicated the planning of a global advertising campaign to promote “Morocco” as a destination through billboards, which will begin as soon as foreign tourists return to the North African country.

Describing the situation of the tourism sector since the outbreak of COVID-19, Ammor said Morocco experienced a 71% drop in tourist arrivals in 2021 compared to 2019. She also mentioned the loss of 20 million travelers and MAD 90 billion ($9.59 billion) in foreign exchange profits in the past two years.

The minister further recalled that Morocco’s government approved in January a five-measure emergency plan worth MAD 2 billion ($216 million) to support the country’s COVID-hit tourism industry.

As Moroccan tourism is faced with dire prospects amid the continuing COVID crisis and over tourists’ growing apprehension of Morocco’s last-minute border closures, Ammor appeared to promise that decision-making will now be more inclusive and show concern for tourism professionals.

Consultations with other stakeholders have taken place in order to prepare a draft decree on compensation packages and 4 agreements on deferral of contributions, she noted.