(3 minutes read)
· The closure of the borders in Morocco, slightly more than a year ago due to the pandemic, has caused the tourism sector in the North African country dearly
· The occupancy ratio has come down below 30%, with fear lingering on both with hospitality sector owners and employees, when they have to pull the shutters
The closure of the borders in Morocco, slightly more than a year ago due to the pandemic, has caused the tourism sector in the North African country dearly. Once a busy and scenic tourist centre boasted of its snowy mountains, green meadows and picturesque landscape now is almost deserted now except for the domestic tourists. The hotels and resorts, which used to be packed before pandemic setting in, are now deserted. The occupancy ratio has come down below 30%, with fear lingering on both with hospitality sector owners and employees, when they have to pull the shutters.
Only saving grace that keeps the bewildered stakeholders is the recent pick up in local tourism, which seems to be on the path of recovery. Morocco is known for its ecotourism and the players – both the privatesector and the government -take pride in building that capacity.
Official estimates show that Morocco’s Tourism Revenue reached US$ 619 million in December 2020, compared to US$456 million in the previous month. Revenue from tourism and related activities has touched an all-time high of US$ 1,376 million in Aug 2017 and a record low of US$40 million in August 2020. Morocco borders the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea and is a confluence of Arabian and European cultures. Marrakech’s medina, a mazelike medieval quarter, offers entertainment in its Djemaa el-Fna square and souks (marketplaces) selling ceramics, jewelry and metal lanterns.
