17% more tourists visited Morocco in 2004
Morocco, Economics, 10/30/2004

The number of tourists who visited Morocco during the first eight months of 2004 increased by 17%, as compared to the same period last year, said the International Tourism Organization in Madrid.

Results for the period from January to August 2004 collected by the WTO show a spectacular rebound of tourism as all regions saw a surge in international arrivals.

"Major traditional destinations, such as Italy (-0.1% until July), France ("0.1% in terms of overnight stays up to September), Spain ("2% until September) or Portugal (-3% in overnight stays until August), have seen their expansion restrained by the strong euro, in particular regarding the "sun and sea" segment, the organization said, adding that other destinations of Europe, such as Turkey ("29% up to September), Croatia ("6%) or Slovenia ("6%) and Mediterranean destinations of North Africa and Middle East, such as Egypt ("49%), Morocco ("17%) or Tunisia ("19%), benefited from this factor.

"It is also interesting to note the growing popularity of travel from Europe to destinations in the Caribbean or in the Americas (Mexico and Brazil) as the strong euro and decreasing airfares make these destinations more and more accessible and a competitive alternative to the Mediterranean."

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan economic growth rate of 3.5 percent in 2004, higher than expected   (10/29/2004)
  Rural tourism a major development focus in Morocco, official   (10/23/2004)
  Arab tourists flow represents 17 percent of Morocco's tourist revenues   (10/13/2004)

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