The Regional Tourism Council of Ouarzazate welcomed François De Fréj, the General Delegate of the Brussels-Capital Region at the Belgian Embassy in Rabat, in a meeting dedicated to enhancing economic and tourism relations between Morocco and Belgium.
During the meeting held at the council’s headquarters, Imane Saber, the head of the Regional Tourism Council, emphasized the importance of the reforms undertaken by the kingdom, which have contributed to establishing Morocco’s attractiveness as a promising investment and tourist destination. She affirmed the authorities’ openness to support initiatives launched by Belgian investors.
The meeting highlighted the opportunities presented by the new investment charter, tourism sector support programs, and local projects aimed at improving the quality of tourism offerings, enhancing air connectivity, and improving the business climate in the Ouarzazate region.
The Belgian official praised the strategic clarity of the Moroccan vision and the quality of major projects implemented in the south of the country, expressing his country’s desire to explore new opportunities for joint cooperation, particularly in sustainable tourism, cultural industries, and vocational training in tourism-related professions.
Both parties agreed to continue dialogue and intensify efforts to launch innovative projects with a tangible impact at the local level through targeted Belgian-Moroccan economic partnerships.
This meeting occurs within a promising national context, as Morocco aims to attract 26 million tourists by 2030 and achieve tourism revenues of 120 billion dirhams annually by 2026, thanks to an ambitious strategy and a budget of nearly 6.1 billion dirhams for the 2023–2026 period, along with supportive programs such as “Cap Hospitality” and “Go Tourism,” and the development of air connectivity and improvements to airport infrastructure.
The meeting also served as an opportunity to showcase the remarkable recovery of Belgian tourism to Morocco, with the number of Belgian tourists exceeding 274,000 in 2024, a 59% increase compared to the post-pandemic period, following years of stagnation recorded between 2013 and 2019.
Although the Ouarzazate destination is still relatively unknown to part of the Belgian public, its significant tourism potential, characterized by stunning landscapes, classified ksars, film studios, and modern hotel infrastructure, positions it as an ideal gateway to the desert and one of Morocco’s treasures in tourism.
Industry professionals hope to launch a direct flight route between Brussels and Ouarzazate, which would facilitate connectivity with the Belgian market and neighboring European markets, enhancing visitor traffic.
The Regional Tourism Council remains committed to making Ouarzazate a key stop within the tourism offerings aimed at Belgian tourists, through the development of a diverse and dynamic product, targeted investment support, and a strong presence at international trade fairs and markets.
Morocco aspires to double the number of Belgian tourists to reach 500,000 visitors annually by 2030, under a comprehensive vision based on innovation, sustainability, and intensified international partnerships with added value.
