Arab tourists earned Morocco $260 million in 2002

Arab tourists who visited Morocco in 2002 earned the country's treasury some 2.6 billion Dirhams (US$ 260 million), said Secretary General of the Moroccan Tourism Office (ONMT), Ayachi Aalla.

Arab visitors to Morocco come second after the French, Ayachi told MAP News Agency, adding that Arab tourists spend ten times as much as westerners.

The executive deplored the absence of products for Arab tourists and the insufficiency of air links despite ONMT's efforts, namely the opening in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) of a branch for the promotion of the Morocco bound in the Gulf.

During the past two years, several delegations representing businessmen and tour operators visited Morocco to explore investment opportunities in tourism.