Morocco Leads the Maghreb Region in Tourism
Morocco has solidified its position as the leading tourist destination in the Maghreb region, with impressive numbers to back it up. In 2025, the country recorded 19.8 million tourist arrivals, representing a 14% increase from 2024 and approaching the symbolic threshold of 20 million visitors for the first time. In 2024, Morocco had already set a record with 17.4 million visitors, a 20% increase from 2023.
Consolidating its Position as a Tourist Leader
It is clear that Morocco is consolidating its position as a leading tourist destination in Africa, surpassing Egypt and South Africa. In 2024, Morocco surpassed Egypt for the first time, which had previously been the most popular destination in Africa. In terms of tourist revenue, the country generated 124 billion dirhams by the end of November 2025, a 19% increase from 2024.
Comparison with Other Maghreb Countries
The World Economic Forum ranking places Morocco well ahead of its neighbors: Tunisia ranks 79th, and Algeria ranks 123rd. Algeria, despite its remarkable natural and cultural heritage, remains largely focused on its energy resources. With around 3 million visitors per year, tourism remains marginal, concentrated mainly on the diaspora, and tourist infrastructure is still underdeveloped. As of the end of October 2025, Tunisia had welcomed 9.5 million visitors, a 9.6% increase - a solid performance, but far behind Morocco.
Why Morocco Dominates
Several factors explain Morocco's dominance:
- Ambitious National Strategy: The government launched a 2023-2026 roadmap in 2023, with a budget of 6 billion dirhams, focusing on air connectivity, promotion, investment in accommodation capacity, and service quality.
- Diverse Offer: Tourists appreciate the relative security, rich cultural heritage, and beach facilities.
- 2030 World Cup Perspective: Co-hosting the 2030 World Cup is driving Morocco towards an ambitious goal of 26 million visitors.
- Above-Average Growth: The global tourism growth is expected to be around 5% in 2025, according to the UN Tourism, while Morocco is showing a 15% increase over the same period.
Morocco's tourism sector is poised for continued growth, with the government's strategic investments and the country's unique offerings making it an attractive destination for visitors from around the world.
