Tourists' arrivals in August :+2% rise

The number of overnight stays recorded at classified tourist accommodation establishments in August showed a stabilization (-1) compared with the same month of the previous year. During the same period, the tourist arrivals at the frontier posts showed an increase of the order of +2% (+2% for foreign tourists and +3% for National Moroccans Resident abroad “MRE”).

The stabilization of overnight stays at the national level is but the consequence of some sharply contrasting results reflected in the different tourist destinations of the Kingdom: -5% for Marrakech, -2% for Agadir, +12% for Casablanca , +9% for Tetouan and +18% for Ouarzazate.

An analysis per outbound (foreign) market indicates that the drop of the non-residents overnight stays (-4% in August) is due mainly to the decline of both the French and the British markets (-6% and -17% respectively). Let's note in passing, however, that some good results are recorded by the Dutch (+77%, that is +15 000 overnight stays) and the Spanish (+9%).

The significant increase of the residents' overnight stays (+5% in August, that is an additional ‘amount' of 30 000 overnight stays) has made it possible to make up partially for the drop recorded at the level of the non-residents' overnight stays.

The room occupancy rate in the month of August showed a 4 point decrease compared with August 2007.The highest rates are recorded at classified establishments of Agadir (87%), Tangier (82%), Tetouan (80%) and Marrakech (65%).

For further information....

National Statistics- August 2008 - (in french)

Annual evolution of nights spent in classified accommodation establishments

Monthly evolution of nights spent in classified accommodation establishments