Fatima-Zahra Ammor: The Southern Regions Welcomed 80,000 Tourists in 5 Months and Have a Summer Plan to Enhance Quality and Air Connectivity
Follow-up
The Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Fatima-Zahra Ammor, revealed that tourism establishments in the three southern regions received approximately 80,000 tourists during the first five months of 2025, representing a 48% increase compared to the same period in 2019. She also noted a rise in overnight stays, totaling nearly 195,000 nights, with a growth rate of 49%.
During a session in the House of Councillors, Ammor stated that tourism demand during the summer season exceeds available supply, leading to increased prices. She added that the ministry is working to address this challenge by boosting the capacity of classified accommodation. In this context, she mentioned the addition of 5,000 new beds in Agadir between 2021 and 2025, emphasizing the importance of balancing domestic tourism distribution across various regions, especially given the intensive demand for specific destinations during the same periods.
Ammor highlighted that the ministry has adopted a summer action plan based on three fundamental pillars: raising awareness among tourism stakeholders about the significance of offering packages that meet the expectations of both Moroccan and foreign visitors; supporting and training tourism enterprises to improve service quality; and intensifying tourism promotion through campaigns, notably “We Meet in Our Country,” along with strengthening air connectivity.
Regarding tourist guidance, the minister revealed that the number of guides has reached 4,590 nationwide, underlining the importance of developing this profession. Concerning the “mystery shopper” system, she explained that it relies on 800 criteria established in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization, aiming for an accurate assessment of the service quality provided by hospitality establishments.
Ammor added that hotels failing to meet star rating criteria could lose their ranking, indicating that professionals will benefit from a two-year transition period to adapt to the new system.
