Tourism generated $1.6 billion in 1999

Tourism was Morocco's first source of hard currency in 1999 with $1.6 billion, a Moroccan official said.

The sector contributes 7.8% to Morocco's gross national product (gnp) and 17% to the balance of payments, Said Aboudi, head of the tourism entertainment and promotion department at the Moroccan tourism ministry, told a meeting held in Cairo by the Moroccan carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM).

The ministry has adopted a package of measures to promote the tourism infrastructure and consolidate the accommodation capacity, he said, citing the construction of 14 international airports, 5 ports and the creation of 626 travel agencies.

Some 4.2 million tourists, including Moroccans settled abroad, visited Morocco in 1999, Aboudi said, adding that the figure is evidence of the sector's recovery.

The number of French tourists increased by 28% in 1999 over 1998, followed by the British visitors (24%) and the Spanish (13%).

According the Aboudi, some 4.5 million foreign tourists will visit Morocco by the year 2004, which will require Morocco to secure 30,000 additional beds.