Morocco’s Tourism Revenues Drop 69% in Q1 2021

Moroccan tourism sector lost 78% of the number of tourists and 69% of its quarterly revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Reuters)
Moroccan tourism sector lost 78% of the number of tourists and 69% of its quarterly revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Reuters)
TT
20

Morocco’s Tourism Revenues Drop 69% in Q1 2021

Moroccan tourism sector lost 78% of the number of tourists and 69% of its quarterly revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Reuters)
Moroccan tourism sector lost 78% of the number of tourists and 69% of its quarterly revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Reuters)

Morocco’s tourism sector has been “gravely affected” by the coronavirus pandemic, said Minister of Tourism Nadia Fettah Alaoui during a session at the parliament.

Almost 430,000 tourists visited the kingdom by late March, she explained, a 78 percent drop compared to the same period in 2020.

Minister of Solidarity and Social Development Jamila El Moussali said tourism revenues did not exceed 5.3 billion dirhams ($530 million) in Q1 2021, a 69 percent drop from the same period last year.

Air traffic in all Moroccan airports was also affected, recording a 70.16 percent drop compared to 2020 and a 73.9 percent decline compared to 2019.

She expected a similar scenario until 2023, with full recovery anticipated the year after.

As for the national air carrier, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Alaoui said most of its flights have been suspended.

Alaoui pointed to a stimulus package of up to 2,000 dirhams ($227) to tourism companies, tour guides, and restaurants registered in the National Social Security Fund (CNSS).

She stated that 5,518 companies submitted requests by late April to benefit from the program and pay the salaries of more than 79,000 employees.

The government had earlier approved a 2020/2022 program, which according to Alaoui, aims to preserve jobs and improve the tourism sector.

While the government is preparing to lift health restrictions, the minister said a program has been set to support small and medium tourism enterprises and to encourage domestic tourism.

The ministry is currently working on in-depth studies on foreign and domestic markets, as well as promotional campaigns, in preparation for the revival of the tourism season, Alaoui explained.



OPEC+ Countries Reaffirm Commitment to Market Stability on Current Healthy Oil Market Fundamentals

FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
TT
20

OPEC+ Countries Reaffirm Commitment to Market Stability on Current Healthy Oil Market Fundamentals

FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: OPEC logo is seen in this illustration taken, October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

The eight OPEC+ countries, which previously announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023, namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman, met virtually on May 3, 2025, to review global market conditions and outlook, SPA reported.
In view of the current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories, and in accordance with the decision agreed upon on December 5, 2024, to start a gradual and flexible return of the 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary adjustments starting from April 1, 2025, the eight participating countries will implement a production adjustment of 411,000 barrels per day in June 2025 from May 2025 required production level.

This is equivalent to three monthly increments. The gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions. This flexibility will allow the group to continue to support oil market stability. The eight OPEC+ countries also noted that this measure will provide an opportunity for the participating countries to accelerate their compensation.
The eight countries reiterated their collective commitment to achieve full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation, including the additional voluntary production adjustments that were agreed to be monitored by the JMMC during its 53rd meeting held on April 3, 2024. They also confirmed their intention to fully compensate for any overproduced volume since January 2024.
The eight OPEC+ countries will hold monthly meetings to review market conditions, conformity, and compensation. The eight countries will meet on June 1, 2025, to decide on July production levels.