15.7 million tourists in Morocco: a confidence boost for expat investors

Morocco 15.7 million tourists in nine months: the milestone has been reached, confirming the strength of the country’s tourism rebound.

Morocco 15.7 million tourists between January and September

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, Morocco welcomed 15.7 million tourists during the first nine months of 2026.

This performance represents a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2025, or more than 717,000 additional visitors. In September 2026 alone, over 1.5 million tourists visited the country, an 8% jump compared to September 2025.

For Moroccans living abroad, these figures confirm that the country is no longer just a summer destination. Visitor numbers now remain solid well beyond the July–August peak and major holiday periods.

A dynamic sector, with the 26 million target in sight

The ministry notes that these results illustrate the steady growth of the tourism sector and the Kingdom’s ability to spread activity over the year.

Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor states that “the Moroccan tourism sector is maintaining its momentum, and its growth prospects remain very promising”. She also reiterates a key strategic target: attracting 26 million tourists by 2030.

For expatriates who track economic news before investing, this trajectory reinforces the idea that tourism will remain a pillar of the Moroccan model, driving accommodation, food services, transport, retail and crafts.

What this means for Moroccans abroad who invest

The expansion of tourism creates very concrete prospects for Moroccans abroad preparing a project back home. More regular visitor flows can, in some cases, improve the profitability and security of investments linked to welcoming travellers.

The opportunities go far beyond luxury hotels. They include in particular:

• short-term rental units in major cities and coastal destinations,
• small guesthouses or family riads in historic medinas,
• cafés, restaurants and local services near stations, airports and tourist zones,
• tour transport, guiding services and excursion providers.

For expats who already own property in Morocco, this dynamic can also support medium-term value prospects, especially in destinations that are structuring themselves around tourism.

Jobs, regions and economic confidence

The minister stresses one key challenge: maintaining this trajectory so that it “generates value, creates jobs and broadens development opportunities across all regions of the Kingdom”.

For families settled abroad who are considering a return or a local business project, this direction means the state intends to keep supporting the sector and to better distribute tourism benefits among several regions.

The figures for Morocco 15.7 million tourists still need to be read alongside macroeconomic indicators and official data published, for example, by the central bank or national economic institutions. However, they do contribute to a climate of confidence that directly concerns expatriates planning to invest, launch a business or prepare a long-term move back home.

Before taking the leap, Moroccans abroad can cross-check these trends with specialist advice and practical guides on administrative procedures, taxation and financing, in order to turn this tourism momentum into a well-managed opportunity.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.