Morocco aims for 10% increase in tourist arrivals this year
Tourism Minister Yassir Zenagui said that Morocco’s tourism receipts increased by 12 per cent in the first quarter of this year. The minister told the Dubai-based TV channel Al Arabiya that the rise in tourism receipts was the because of the quality of Moroccan hotels services and products.
In order to seize the opportunity to lure tourists from south European nations, Morocco has recently invested heavily in its tourism industry, A large amount of new resorts are expected to bring an increase of 10% in tourist arrivals this year.
Industry and government officials said that Investors from the Arabian Gulf, Europe and North America have recently invested huge amount into North African countries, particularly Moroccan hotels, resorts and holiday apartments which has helped the north African country more than double tourism earnings in the past decade. Foreign investors are responsible for the creation of a number of resorts, which have in turn created over 250,000 hotel beds for potential tourists to Morocco. The number of arrivals kept growing last year despite the global economic downturn, with an increase of 6 percent, but income fell as tourists spent less.
The aim is to promote Morocco as a great alternative for sun seekers. However, the industry and government officials are confidant that Morocco will see a turnaround in fortunes and that the new investments will reap their rewards. In good news for rental property investors, tourism ministry stressed on the huge level of importance of marketing activities and shifting the image of Morocco away from being a poor African country.
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