Morocco sees surge in Chinese tourists

Africanews (in English)

Morocco sees surge in Chinese tourists  Chinese tourists are pouring into one of Morocco’s most famous sites, drawn by its culture and landscapes. Their enthusiasm - and spending - are providing a boost to the local economy at Ksar Aït Ben Haddou.  READ MORE : http://www.africanews.com/2025/07/06/morocco-sees-surge-in-chinese-tourists  Subscribe on our Dailymotion channel and receive all the latest news from the continent.    Africanews is available in English and French.  Website : www.africanews.com  Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/africanews.channel/  Twitter : https://twitter.com/africanews

Transcript

00:00This is Sa 8 Ben Hadou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Morocco.

00:07The North African country has long been a draw for foreign tourists,

00:13but in recent years, locals are seeing a growing number of visitors from China.

00:19They're intrigued by the country's historic sites, varied landscapes and traditional handicrafts.

00:27One of the main reasons I chose to travel to Morocco this time is because I watched a North African film,

00:35which made me very fascinated by Casablanca and the customs and culture of Morocco.

00:41Whatever it is that's attracting Chinese tourists to Morocco, it's working.

00:47In the last ten years, their numbers have increased exponentially.

00:52Before 2016, there were fewer than 10,000 Chinese tourists a year.

00:59But after the King of Morocco cancelled visa requirements,

01:02their numbers increased significantly until reaching over 140,000 tourists in 2019.

01:09During Covid, there was a decline across all markets.

01:12But in 2023 and 2024, we saw strong momentum.

01:17Once direct flights opened between Morocco and China,

01:20that number could reach 250 or even 300,000.

01:29Also high on the agenda of most Chinese tourists is sampling the local cuisine.

01:35This is the Oasis Door restaurant in Eid Ben Hadou.

01:47Chinese tourists are different from other types of clients and we try to satisfy them in every way.

01:53They enjoy discovering Moroccan cuisine, which is very different from Asian food.

01:58We aim to please them with various Moroccan dishes, like tagine and couscous,

02:03and especially with warm water, which is very important to them.

02:09The Chinese visitors' enthusiasm and spending are providing a boost to Morocco's tourist economy.

02:18Thank you very much.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended