Casablanca – Morocco’s tourism sector continued to expand during 2026, with the country recording 14.1 million tourist arrivals by the end of August, an increase of 4.5% compared with the same period of 2025. The latest figure represents nearly 608,000 additional arrivals over the previous year and confirms that international demand for Morocco has remained strong through the summer season. 

August was particularly significant, as the number of tourists arriving in Morocco during the month exceeded 2 million for the first time. Monthly arrivals increased by 3% compared with August 2025, providing further evidence that visitor flows have continued to grow despite the high level already recorded during the previous year. 

The latest performance follows a strong first half of 2026, when Morocco welcomed nearly 9.4 million visitors. The continued increase in arrivals during July and August has brought the total significantly higher and placed the tourism sector on track for another year of substantial activity. 

Strong summer demand 

The summer period remains one of the most important periods for Moroccan tourism, particularly because of strong demand from European travelers and Moroccan nationals living abroad. 

The record number of visitors in August indicates that Morocco continued to attract travelers during one of the busiest periods of the international tourism calendar. The increase also comes after a particularly strong performance in 2025, meaning that the sector has maintained growth despite a comparatively high base. 

The expansion in visitor numbers has been supported by a broad range of international markets. European countries remain among Morocco’s largest sources of tourists, with France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy continuing to contribute significant numbers. 

At the same time, several other markets have recorded faster rates of growth. During the first half of the year, arrivals from Poland increased by around 32%, while Germany recorded growth of 14%. The United States registered an increase of approximately 9%, while France and Belgium each grew by around 9%. 

The diversification of visitor markets is becoming increasingly important for Morocco as it seeks to maintain growth and extend tourism activity throughout the year. 

Tourism revenues continue to increase 

The rise in tourist arrivals has been accompanied by a significant increase in tourism-related foreign-currency earnings. 

During the first seven months of 2026, Morocco generated approximately $8.6 billion in travel receipts, representing an increase of 13.4% compared with the same period of 2025. 

Travel receipts had already reached around $6.7 billion by the end of June, with annual growth of approximately 15.9%. The additional revenue recorded in July brought the cumulative total close to $8.6 billion. 

Moroccan residents’ spending on travel abroad also increased during the period, reaching approximately $2.05 billion by the end of July. Despite the increase in outbound travel expenditure, Morocco recorded a travel-services surplus of approximately $6.09 billion, up around 15.7% from a year earlier. 

The stronger growth in tourism receipts compared with tourist arrivals is significant for the economy because it indicates that the sector is generating substantial foreign-currency income alongside the increase in visitor numbers. 

Hotel activity expands 

The increase in tourist arrivals has also been reflected in accommodation activity. 

During the first six months of 2026, overnight stays in classified accommodation establishments increased by approximately 9% compared with the same period of the previous year. 

Growth was recorded across several major destinations. Ouarzazate registered one of the strongest increases, with overnight stays rising by around 23%. Rabat followed with growth of approximately 20%, while Agadir and Casablanca each recorded increases of around 11%. 

Marrakech and Tangier also recorded growth of approximately 10%. Other destinations, including Errachidia, Al Haouz, Fez and Essaouira, experienced increases as well. 

The figures suggest that tourism growth is increasingly reaching destinations beyond Morocco’s most established international tourism centers. This broader distribution could help spread the economic benefits of tourism across a larger number of regions. 

Diversifying Morocco’s tourism offer 

Morocco has been working to diversify both its visitor base and tourism products. While cultural tourism and beach holidays remain important, the country has increasingly promoted business travel, ecotourism, adventure activities, gastronomy and experiences linked to Morocco’s historical and natural heritage. 

The objective is to encourage visitors to stay longer, visit multiple destinations and travel during different periods of the year. 

This approach also supports efforts to reduce the concentration of tourism in a limited number of cities. Marrakech, Agadir, Casablanca, Tangier and other major destinations continue to attract large numbers of visitors, but growing interest in cities such as Rabat, Fez, Ouarzazate and Essaouira is creating additional opportunities. 

The expansion of tourism into less-visited areas could support local businesses involved in accommodation, restaurants, transportation, handicrafts, cultural activities and guided tours. 

Air connectivity remains important 

The continued increase in visitor numbers is closely linked to Morocco’s efforts to improve international air connectivity. 

New routes and additional flight capacity have made it easier for travelers from European, North American and other international markets to reach Morocco. Expanding connections to secondary destinations is also important because it can help distribute tourists more widely and reduce pressure on the country’s busiest gateways. 

Improving connectivity is expected to remain a priority as Morocco prepares for further growth in international tourism. 

At the same time, rising visitor numbers increase the need for additional accommodation capacity and improvements to transport infrastructure, tourist attractions and public services. 

Preparing for the next phase 

Morocco’s 2023–2026 Tourism Roadmap has focused on several areas, including expanding the tourism offering, improving the visitor experience, strengthening air connectivity and increasing the attractiveness of destinations across the country. 

The strategy has been implemented during a period in which tourism has moved from post-pandemic recovery toward sustained expansion. 

Morocco welcomed approximately 17.4 million tourists in 2024, followed by nearly 19.8 million in 2025. The 14.1 million arrivals recorded by the end of August 2026 therefore represent another strong performance, particularly given the high comparison base established during the previous two years. 

The challenge is increasingly shifting from restoring visitor numbers to managing continued growth effectively. 

This means ensuring that hotels and other accommodation facilities can meet demand, transport systems can handle increasing passenger volumes, and tourism destinations can maintain service quality as visitor numbers rise. 

Regional economic benefits 

Tourism has a broad economic impact because visitor spending supports activities well beyond hotels and travel companies. 

Restaurants, cafés, transportation providers, cultural attractions, handicraft businesses, tour operators and local retailers all benefit from higher visitor numbers. Increased tourism can also create employment opportunities, particularly in destinations where tourism represents an important part of local economic activity. 

Ensuring that these benefits reach a wider range of regions has therefore become an increasingly important objective. 

The continued rise in overnight stays outside the largest tourism centers suggests that some of this geographical diversification is already taking place. Further development of regional tourism products could strengthen this trend over the coming years. 

Outlook for the rest of 2026 

With 14.1 million tourist arrivals recorded by the end of August, Morocco enters the final four months of 2026 with the tourism sector operating at a high level. 

The autumn and winter periods will determine how much of the summer momentum can be maintained outside the peak season. Continued air connectivity, promotional activity and the development of new tourism products are expected to play an important role. 

The sector is also entering a period of preparation for major international events, including the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. These preparations are expected to encourage further investment in accommodation, transportation, airports and tourism facilities. 

For now, the latest figures show that Morocco’s tourism sector remains on a growth path. The combination of 14.1 million arrivals through August, a record more than 2 million visitors in August, approximately $8.6 billion in travel receipts through July, and a 9% increase in overnight stays during the first half of the year points to continued expansion across several indicators. 

The focus for the next phase will be on sustaining this growth while improving the quality and distribution of tourism activity. If visitor numbers continue to increase, Morocco will face the task of ensuring that its infrastructure, accommodation capacity and tourism services develop at a pace that can support higher demand across the country.