Morocco Tourism

Officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, Morocco is a country that is located in the North Africa possessing a population of almost 34 million people. It has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean, which reached past of the Strait of Gibralter into the Mediterranean Sea. Since the country is known for its rich history and culture, hospitable people, vibrant tourism spots, and good atmosphere, there is no wonder why many people from different sides of the world are excited to witness the place before their very eyes. When you come to the place, you will completely blow your mind away, knowing all your experiences are worth its prices.

Table of contents:

• History of Moroccan Tourism
• Tourism Industry
• Tourist Attractions

Morocco is one of the sophisticated and exquisite locations in the world that has its perfection in terms of tourism. Tourism in the place is well-developed having a sturdy tourist industry that is focusing more on the country’s culture, coast, people, and history. And in terms of political facets in North Africa, Morocco is considered as one of the stable countries, which allowed the aspects of tourism to develop even more.

The History of Moroccan Tourism

Like any other countries people visited, Morocco also possesses its one-of-a-kind story, which marks the previous years of its colorful existence. In terms of its tourism, Morocco makes a good deal and has a fair share to complete the travel experience of every visitor who wants to take advantage of the place’s attraction and elegance.

In the 2nd half of the 1980s and in the early days of 1990s, there are 1 to 1.5 million people from European countries visited the Morocco. Most of the visitors were Spanish and French – with about 100,000 each from Germany, Britain, and Netherlands. Most of these tourists give much attention to the large beach resorts along the coast of Atlantic in Agadir. There are about 10,000 people coming from Saudi Arabia who visited the country and some of them bought their own holiday homes.

The tourist receipts fell by up to 16.5 percent in the years 1990 in which the Gulf War had begun. After the Marrakech attack, the Algeria closed their border with the Morocco in 1994, which results to lower the numbers of Algerian visitors – 70,000 tourists in 1994, which falls to 13,000 in 1995. This simply shows that Morocco has a big contribution as it natural beauty has a great impact to other places nearby.

While there are other people coming from different sides of the world have their time to visit Morocco, most of its visitors continued to be European people with Spanish and French nationals that make up to 14 percent of all visitors. These European people are commonly visiting the country in the month of April and in the autumn season, apart from the Spanish nationals who commonly come during the month of June and August. Just last year (2016), Morocco had attracted more than 10.3 million international people. This record makes Morocco as the most visited country in the Africa.

The Tourism Industry of Morocco

The tourist receipts a total of $7.55 billion dollars in 2007. In Morocco, the tourism is the 2nd largest foreign exchange earner after the industry of phosphate. This is made possible due to the support that Moroccan government had manifested to the tourism development and enhancement. The Vision 2010, a new strategy in tourism, was developed after the agreement of King Mohammed VI in the year 1999.

In 2010, the government of Morocco is targeting to reach the 10 million visitors with a hope to acquire a rise of 20 percent GDP. Also, the large part of the government had sponsored the tourism marketing campaign in order to attract the people. They advertised that the place has an exotic, safe and cheap place for the European tourists.

The high amount of tourists of Morocco had relatively aided by its tourist attractions on its location – and relatively in low price. Cruise ships are visiting the place of the ports of Tangier and Casablanca. Since Morocco is relatively close to Europe, it able to attract the European people to its elegant and inviting beaches. And due to its proximity to Spain, the tourists coming from the southern part of Spain are going to Morocco with a 1 to 3-day trip.

Apart from that, the air services are also established in Morocco, which is servicing the passengers between Morocco and Algeria. This facility seamlessly allows the Algerian people to shop stuff in Morocco or visit their families within the country. Due to the Dirham’s devaluation and in the increase in Spain’s hotel prices, Morocco has become an inexpensive place to go. In addition to the facility, Morocco has their excellent infrastructure and road that links the major metros and other tourist destinations with the cities and ports, as well as with international airports. With the low costing air flights offered by the airlines, people from all around the world affordably get back and forth to the country any time they wish.

The Tourist Attractions in Morocco

People visiting Morocco have the same goals in mind – to visit some of the uniquely featured places that their eyes have never seen before. People will see the Atlas Mountain, the Sand Dunes, the Bou Inania Madrasa in Fes, the Old Defense Walls of Essaouira, the Ifrane, “Morocco’s Switzerland”, the beaches and Kasbah at Agadir, etc.

The attraction of the country is divided into seven regions:

1. The Four Imperial Cities – the four historical Moroccan cities – Marrakech, Fes, Rabat, and Meknes
2. Casablanca – the largest city in Morocco and a home of Hassan II Mosque, the world tallest minaret
3. Tangier and the surrounding locations in the area
4. Marrakech
5. Agadir and its sophisticated beach resorts
6. Tarfaya and its beach resorts
7. Ouarzazate

It is a noted location for film-making. The tourism in Morocco has a large part that focuses on the country’s culture, including the ancient cities. The industry of the modern tourism is capitalizing on the Islamic sites and ancient Roans of Morocco. Its tourism’s modem industry capitalize also on cultural history and landscapes. There is almost 60 percent of the country’s tourists are visiting prior to culture and heritage.