Casablanca – Morocco has officially launched the 26th edition of the Marhaba (Welcome) operation, a nationwide system designed to welcome Moroccans residing abroad during the summer travel season. The launch took place at Tanger Med port, marking the beginning of a three-month coordinated framework aimed at managing high passenger flows, facilitating travel procedures, and providing social and medical assistance across key transit points.

The operation is coordinated by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, in collaboration with a wide range of institutional partners, including port and airport authorities, customs services, national security, and medical teams. It is considered one of the country’s most significant seasonal mobility arrangements, reflecting the scale of annual movements between Morocco and its diaspora communities in Europe and beyond.

This year’s edition is structured around an expanded assistance network of 26 reception centers. Of these, 20 are located in Morocco at major ports, airports, border posts, and rest areas, while six additional centers are operational in Spain, France, and Italy. Key European maritime hubs involved include Algeciras, Motril, Almería, Sète, Marseille, and Genoa, which handle large volumes of ferry traffic connecting Europe and North Africa.

Inside Morocco, reception sites are deployed across major entry points such as Tanger Med, Tanger Ville, Nador Bni Nsar, Al Hoceima, Casablanca Mohammed V Airport, Rabat-Salé Airport, Marrakech Menara, Fès Saïss, Agadir Al Massira, Oujda Angad, Laâyoune Hassan I, and Dakhla, as well as rest areas along key highways and border crossings including Bab Sebta and Mellilia.

According to official data from the coordinating foundation, nearly 1,400 to 1,500 personnel have been mobilized for the 2026 operation. This workforce includes social workers, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, and administrative teams. Their role is to provide assistance throughout the travel journey, including administrative facilitation, health support, guidance services, and help for vulnerable travelers.

The system is designed to operate across the entire summer period, from June to mid-September, covering both peak arrival and return phases. Services are available continuously at designated sites, with extended capacity during high-traffic days when ferry and air passenger volumes increase significantly.

A Central Coordination Office based in Rabat oversees the operation, monitoring field activity and ensuring coordination between all participating institutions. It also manages a dedicated telephone assistance platform, allowing travelers to request information or support in real time. This coordination mechanism is intended to improve responsiveness, manage incidents, and streamline communication between different operational actors.

Alongside the reception system, authorities have announced a significant increase in transport capacity for the 2026 summer season. More than 58 airlines have been authorized to operate during the Marhaba period, with a total of 2,403 weekly flights scheduled. These services connect Morocco with around 160 international airports in 61 countries, representing a notable expansion compared to the previous summer season.

The aviation expansion is part of a broader policy of liberalized air transport, which has encouraged increased competition and the entry of low-cost carriers, helping diversify travel options for passengers. Maritime operators are also expected to reinforce ferry connections between Morocco and southern European ports to meet seasonal demand.

Despite these measures, transport costs remain a recurring point of concern. Parliamentary discussions have highlighted the high price of air tickets and ferry crossings during peak travel periods, when demand from Moroccan expatriates rises sharply. Some policymakers have called for improved pricing regulation, better coordination with transport operators, and enhanced service quality at ports and airports.

Operational challenges linked to congestion at major transit hubs have also been raised. During peak weeks, ports in northern Morocco and southern Spain experience heavy traffic, leading to longer waiting times and increased pressure on infrastructure and services. Similar issues have been reported at certain airports, where seasonal surges can affect passenger flow management.

Authorities have emphasized the importance of cooperation with Spanish port operators, as a majority of Moroccan travelers returning from Europe pass through Spain before reaching Morocco. This cross-border coordination is considered essential for ensuring smooth maritime traffic and minimizing delays during peak periods.

Beyond maritime and air routes, attention has also been drawn to land entry points, particularly the El Guerguerat crossing, which serves travelers arriving from West Africa. Calls have been made to strengthen infrastructure, medical assistance, and rest facilities at all entry points to ensure consistent service standards nationwide.

The Marhaba operation has evolved into a large-scale seasonal mobility and assistance framework combining logistics, humanitarian support, and inter-institutional coordination. It plays a central role in managing annual travel flows while addressing the administrative, social, and logistical needs of Moroccan communities abroad during the summer period.