Morocco reports 20% rise in tourists this year

• 1.3m visitors in November
• Aim to be top-15 destination
• Co-hosting World Cup in 2030

Morocco has reported a 20 percent year-on-year increase in tourists through to the end of November, welcoming close to 16 million visitors.

Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Morocco’s minister of tourism, described the numbers as an “historic achievement”.

“This achievement isn’t just a number, it’s a testament to the success of our roadmap and confirms we’re on track to join the world’s top 15 tourist destinations by 2030,” she said.

The number of international visitors increased by 26 percent (1.5 million), while Moroccan residents abroad – those who live outside of the country but come back to visit – were up 17 percent, contributing an extra 1.1 million tourists.

In November the country had 1.3 million tourists, up almost one-third on the same month last year.

The Moroccan government has set a target of 17.5 million annual visitors by 2026, increasing to 26 million by 2030, when the country co-hosts the Fifa World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

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Morocco announced in July it has invested MAD7.9 billion ($805 million) to upgrade 21 old medinas across the country.

It follows a record year for international arrivals of 14.5 million people.