Morocco’s tourism industry had a good 1Q as others in the region struggled

Tourist arrivals in Morocco rose 18% in March, despite a region-wide tourism slowdown that grounded occupancy rates in the GCC and beyond. The March surge drove an overall 7% y-o-y rise in 1Q arrivals to 4.3 mn, with the country’s tourism ministry attributing the rise to better flight connectivity and accommodation and entertainment offerings, as well as diversified source markets.

Improved returns: Tourism receipts reached USD 2.3 bn in by the end of February, marking a 22.2% y-o-y improvement and suggesting better monetization per visitor.

Data point: Morocco was the most visited country in Africa last year, attracting 19.8 mn ⁠tourists. The North African kingdom is also targeting 26 mn tourists by 2030, supported by long-term infrastructure upgrades ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Now put that in contrast with Egypt’s performance: Bookings in Egypt are down 20% since the outbreak of the war, bringing the country’s tourism rebound to a screeching halt after a record-breaking 2025. The drop reflects Egypt’s tourism sector’s exposure to the shock that’s only made worse by its reliance on tourists from the GCC and East Asia. This was in part due to flight disruptions rather than just a falling appetite for the country, which becomes clear when you look at the steady figures of arrivals for tourists incoming from Europe and the US, Egyptian Tourism Federation member Hossam Hazaa told us.

Others aren’t faring much better: March bookings in Jordan fell 90% y-o-y overall and as much as 100% in the country’s major tourist attraction, the ancient city of Petra.