Several warm Moroccan cities, led by Marrakech, are preparing to welcome significant numbers of British tourists starting in October, which coincides with the holiday season in the UK and the arrival of autumn in Morocco. This influx is expected to boost the annual average of foreign tourists in Morocco following a busy summer season.
As autumn approaches, the British press has started extensively promoting Morocco as a travel destination, highlighting its appeal to British tourists who seek warmth, sunshine, and favorable weather during their holiday, which coincides with the typically cold autumn season in the UK.
The British newspaper Daily Express published a report on Sunday emphasizing the appeal of Marrakech as a destination for British tourists. One of the key attractions mentioned is the short flight duration, under four hours, along with the pleasant October temperatures, reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius in Marrakech.
The report also highlighted the numerous tourist attractions in Marrakech, such as the beauty of the city, its markets, traditions, and various other advantages offered at reasonable prices. The report concluded that Marrakech remains the best destination for British tourists during autumn.
This report comes just days after a similar report by another British newspaper, The Independent, which also listed Morocco, particularly Marrakech, among the top destinations for British tourists this autumn, starting in October, alongside regions in France, India, and Malta.
The Independent pointed to several tourist spots worth visiting in Morocco during autumn, such as the beaches in Essaouira, the markets in Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, and the Oukaïmeden ski resort, offering British tourists a diverse and enriching travel experience.
Morocco is expected to witness a large influx of British tourists starting in October, with most of them heading to Marrakech or Agadir, as these cities offer favorable temperatures, and opportunities for swimming at Agadir's beaches and enjoying the warmth of Marrakech.
It is worth noting that the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts under the Ministry of Economy and Finance reported on Saturday that Morocco recorded a record number of tourists, reaching 10 million by the end of July 2024, an increase of 15 percent compared to the same period last year.
The Directorate explained in its latest economic report that Morocco welcomed a record 2.6 million tourists in July 2024, marking a 20 percent increase. During the first seven months of 2024, a new record was set, with 10 million tourists visiting the kingdom, representing a 15 percent increase.
Regarding the number of overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments, the Directorate noted an increase of 8.4 percent by the end of June 2024, totaling 12.7 million overnight stays. This growth reflects a notable 13.1 percent rise, reaching 7.2 million during the second quarter of 2024.
As for tourism revenues, they closed the second quarter of 2024 with a momentum of 9.4 percent, boosting growth to 2.3 percent by the end of June, following a 4.2 percent decline at the end of March 2024 and a solid 69.2 percent increase the previous year.
