Tourism in Morocco

Tourism in Morocco

Tourism in Morocco is well developed, with a strong tourist industry focused on the country's coast, culture, and history. Morocco has been one of the most politically stable countries in North Africa, which has allowed tourism to develop. The Moroccan government created a Ministry of Tourism in 1985

In the second half of the 1980s and the early 1990s, between 1 and 1.5 million Europeans visited Morocco. Most of these visitors were French or Spanish, with about 100,000 each from Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands. Tourists mostly visited large beach resorts along the Atlantic coast, particularly Agadir. About 20,000 people from Saudi Arabia visited, some of whom bought holiday homes. Receipts from tourism fell by 16.5% in 1990, the year the Gulf War began. In 1994, Algeria closed its border with Morocco after being falsely accused of the Marrakech attack, this caused the number of Algerian visitors to fall considerably; there were 70,000 visitors in 1994 and 13,000 in 1995, compared to 1.66 million in 1992 and 1.28 million in 1993. In 2008 there were 8 million tourist arrivals, compared with about 7.4 million in 2007 i.e. a 7% growth compared to 2007 30% of the tourists in 2008 were one of the 3.8 million Moroccans living abroad. Most of the visitors to Morocco continue to be European, with French nationals making up almost 20% of all visitors. Most Europeans visit in April and the autumn, apart from the Spanish, who mostly visit in June and August

Tourist receipts in 2007 totaled US$7.55 billion. Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner in Morocco,after the phosphate industry.The Moroccan government is heavily investing in tourism development. A new tourism strategy called Vision 2010 was developed after the accession of King Mohammed VI in 1999. The government has targeted that Morocco will have 10 million visitors by 2010, with the hope that tourism will then have risen to 20% of GDP. A large government sponsored marketing campaigns to attract tourists advertised Morocco as a cheap and exotic, yet safe, place for European tourists.

Morocco's relatively high amount of tourists has been aided by its location, tourist attractions, and relatively low price. Cruise ships visit the ports of Casablanca and Tangier. Morocco is close to Europe and attracts visitors to its beaches. Because of its proximity to Spain, tourists in southern Spain's coastal areas take one- to three-day trips to Morocco. Air services between Morocco and Algeria have been established, many Algerians have gone to Morocco to shop and visit family and friends. Morocco is relatively inexpensive because of the devaluation of the dirham and the increase of hotel prices in Spain. Morocco has an excellent road and rail infrastructure that links the major cities and tourist destinations with ports and cities with international airports. Low-cost airlines offer cheap flights to the country

Morocco is a place where a certain dissonance can be felt in the air. Tucked on the northwestern tip of Africa and severed from the continent by the Atlas range, it has a lot more in common with the Mediterranean than with the rest of Africa, be it in terms of geography, climate or history. Walking along the Boulevard de Paris in central Casablanca, taking advantage of the manifold facilities at the Atlantic-lapped shores of Agadir, or embarking on the famous 1960s hippie trail to the stunning Paradise Valley, you may experience a baffling feeling of not quite reaching the Black Land.

Yet, as you challenge the pinkish slopes of Ameln, stepping into colorful Berber villages on your way, you inevitably stumble upon the treacherously captivating realm of Sahara blending with the horizon. It's here that the Mediterranean sensation vanishes into thin air as quickly as the mud-brick kasbahs start to dominate the skyline. Dunes, oases and camel rides are all to be found here, as befits the stereotypical African experience.

To put it in a nutshell, Morocco has it all. If you are looking for seaside delights, you got it. If it's trekking you enjoy, with the Rif Mountains it's not even close to a problem. If you wish to soak up culture seasoned with indigenous smells and sounds, try out Fes and Marrakesh. Volubilis will blow your mind with the ancient heritage, Tangier will most likely inspire you with its artistic touch and post-colonial character while Rabat, the capital, may take many a traveler aback with its sophistication. You'll really need to do your homework to ensure you tick off at least a quarter of attractions Morocco has up its sleeve. Get down to business, will you?

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