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Tourism

ONMT Heralds New Era with Inaugural Montreal-Marrakech Transavia Flight

Thursday 13 June 2024 - 11:30

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In a historic milestone for Moroccan tourism, the first direct flight connecting Montreal to Marrakech touched down this morning at Marrakech Airport, marking the fruition of the National Moroccan Tourism Office's (ONMT) strategic "Light In Action" offensive to conquer the North American market.

On board this inaugural journey were Sebastian Ponce, Revenue Director of Air Transat, and Joseph Adamo, Sales and Marketing Director of Transat, representing the airline company under the Transat group.

For the ONMT, this new air link represents a significant stride in its assertive strategy to tap into the increasingly vital Canadian market. Over the past decade, seat capacity from Canada to Morocco has surged by a remarkable 87%, rising from 87,000 to 164,000 seats annually, underscoring the immense growth potential that the ONMT has astutely recognized.

Notably, on October 25, 2023, the ONMT and Air Transat inked a strategic partnership agreement, with the launch of this Montreal-Marrakech route as the first operational measure.

As the second North American airline after Air Canada to operate flights to Morocco, Air Transat has solidified its position as the sole airline in North America offering direct flights to Marrakech, scheduled twice weekly during the summer and once a week in winter.

Air Transat's appeal to Morocco is further bolstered by its status as Canada's leading vacation carrier, having been named the World's Best Leisure Airline in 2023 by the prestigious Skytrax rankings.

According to projections, this new air link will not only fuel tourism to Marrakech but will also open a world of possibilities for travelers, granting access to seaside resorts in Essaouira, Taghazout, and Agadir, as well as mountain and ecotourism destinations in Azilal, Beni Mellal, the southern regions of Ouarzazate, Zagora, and Merzouga, and even city break and cultural experiences in northern cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, and Fez.

Alongside the inaugural flight, the ONMT has organized a familiarization trip (Fam trip) from June 13 to 16 for the top management of the Transat group. Meetings with representatives from the National Confederation of Tourism and the Regional Tourism Council of Marrakech-Safi are scheduled to strengthen relationships with operators and lay the groundwork for a fruitful collaboration that will benefit Morocco's tourism sector.

As the first direct flight from Montreal touches down in the iconic Red City, a new chapter unfolds, promising unprecedented accessibility and opportunity for both Moroccan and Canadian travelers to explore the rich tapestry of experiences that each country has to offer.

Source : PR+