morocco tourism numbers rose 6 per cent in 2009 with more to come this year
News Posted On: 18 January 2010
Despite the global economic downturn Morocco saw a 6 percent rise in the number of visitors to 8.35 million in 2009, while numbers fell in rival holiday destinations Tunisia and Spain. Government and industry officials are now forecasting a further 10 percent growth in numbers for 2010, according to a report released by Reuters on Saturday.
'We aim to realise growth of 10 percent, or three times the world trend that is forecast,' said newly-appointed Tourism Minister Yassir Znagui.
Morocco has more than doubled tourism income in the past decade and has seen heavy investment in holiday accommodation during this period – a move heavily encouraged by a government seeking to raise living standards for its population by attracting foreign spending and capital.
Although last year income from tourism dropped by 5.7 per cent despite higher visitor numbers, the government expects to see that trend reverse this year.
'I think in 2010 we can achieve 6 percent growth in foreign currency earnings and get back to the level we were at in 2008,' said Othman Cherif Alami, Chairman of Morocco's National Tourism Federation.
'We have a strong desire to gear Morocco towards sustainable tourism, respect for the environment and a top quality tourism product,' said newly-nominated tourism minister Znagui, who used to work in the City of London.
We have been told that climate change is all about global warming. Yet the Copenhagen conference ended as Europe, North America and even some regions in the Middle East were about to experience their worst winter snowfalls for decades. Today Andy Murray won his first round Australian Open match indoors due to wind and rain and temperatures described on BBC Five Live as 'less than half those of last year'.
If, as many now predict, we are actually entering a period of global cooling, the centre of gravity of the UK holiday real estate market could drift South – literally rather than metaphorically. With Morocco gearing up to increase market share and quality of its tourism sector, property in that country should get a boost.
The fact that there are now more cheap budget flights from the UK than ever before in anticipation of this influx of additional holidaymakers won't hurt either.
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