Morocco’s tourism scene is buzzing with anticipation—this year the country expects to welcome close to 20 million visitors. Early signs from January and February have been promising, with numbers already showing a noticeable uptick. International deals and high-profile events, like hosting the Africa Cup of Nations finals, seem to be nudging these trends along in unexpected ways. Air travel records positive numbers.
Around 2.7 million tourists were counted in the first two months of 2025, which is roughly a 24% climb compared to the same time last year—translating to an extra 521,000 travelers. In February alone, about 1.4 million people visited the country, marking nearly a 22% rise from February 2024. In most cases, these figures hint that Morocco’s appeal as a destination is growing steadily, and the momentum feels almost contagious.
Flight capacity is getting boosted, too. In most cases, plans are in place to roll out around 13.3 million seats this year—about a 20% increase from the previous year. It’s interesting that Morocco is using the Africa Cup of Nations finals as more than just an event; it's becoming a key highlight in positioning the country as a top destination in Africa.
Air travel shows its own kind of success. January recorded a 29% jump in arrivals by air compared to last year, and earlier figures showed an impressive 68% leap from previous periods. Marrakech Menara International Airport, for one, kept its crown as one of the busiest, seeing over 334,000 arrivals—a 27% increase compared to last year. Slightly further along, Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport welcomed nearly 195,000 passengers, Agadir Al Massira Airport came in with close to 100,000, and Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport posted a significant 37% rise. It’s almost as if every major hub is humming with renewed energy.
Building on progress from introducing almost 40 new air routes in 2024, experts believe the trend will continue if Morocco pushes ahead with more direct air travel connections—especially to the United States. One new route, they claim, could attract up to 34,000 additional visitors annually. And it’s not just about American tourists; last year saw a 15% gain in arrivals from China as well. A new air travel connection between Shanghai and Casablanca was established in January 2025, and after several challenging years caused by the pandemic, the long-dormant route between Casablanca and Beijing is back in operation.
Even with these encouraging numbers, the road to full recovery isn’t all smooth. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still knock on the door of Morocco’s tourist transport sector. Although the Ministry of Tourism and its partners have been gradually helping the industry regain its footing, soaring fuel prices and global inflation have squeezed many travelers’ budgets. This has led to noticeable cutbacks in spending on transportation and other travel services, a challenge that still hangs over the sector.