French tourists flock to Morocco for summer 2025

Saturday 24 May 2025 - 08:50

By: Dakir Madiha

French tourists flock to Morocco for summer 2025

French tourists are selecting Morocco as their favored summer retreat for 2025, according to recent surveys and industry data. Despite a trend of caution among French travelers regarding international journeys, Morocco continues to captivate visitors with its unique fusion of accessibility, affordability, and cultural richness.

A recent Opinion Way poll published by Beur FM unveils that Morocco has established itself as one of the preferred havens for French holidaymakers this summer. More than a quarter of users browsing the “Liligo” travel comparison website have exhibited interest in Moroccan getaways, enticed by what the survey characterizes as a winning combination of exoticism, geographical and financial accessibility—particularly appealing during times of rising prices and economic uncertainty.

While only 45% of French citizens intend to venture abroad this summer, compared to 50% in 2024, Morocco stands out as an exception to this downward pattern. The country’s allure appears to be intensifying even as more French people (67%, up from 61% last year) choose domestic vacations.

Marrakech remains the most coveted Moroccan locale, but Essaouira and Fez are seeing remarkable surges in interest. Searches for Essaouira, known as “the windy city,” have soared by 147%, while Fez, celebrated for its historical heritage, has experienced a 64% increase.

This preference for Morocco is further corroborated by the Observatory of Travel Companies (EDV), which reports that 38% of French travel agencies now rank Morocco as their top international sales hotspot, ahead of Tunisia (27%) and Spain (23%).

The renewed popularity stems from both improved diplomatic relations between Paris and Rabat and Morocco’s consistent tourism offerings, including upgraded hotel accommodations and refreshed promotional campaigns. The country delivers travelers an ideal balance of exotic experiences and logistical security—a combination that continues to lure French visitors seeking adventure without complete departure from familiar comforts.

While the number of April departures dipped slightly by 2% compared to the previous year, the value of sales has jumped by 7%. The average spending per traveler now amounts to €868. This suggests that French tourists may be traveling in smaller numbers, but they’re investing more and prioritizing quality experiences—a trend that benefits Morocco’s tourism sector.

To capitalize on this growing enthusiasm, Transavia, a leading European low-cost carrier, has partnered with the Moroccan Tourism Office (ONMT) to launch 14 new flight routes connecting regional French cities to Morocco for winter 2025-2026. This expansion will introduce over 130,000 new airplane seats, representing a 25% increase from last year. The new routes will link French cities directly to Moroccan hotspots, including Agadir, Marrakech, Dakhla, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, and Errachidia.

A highlight of this collaboration is the establishment of a seasonal base in Agadir—Transavia’s first outside France—which will enhance flight availability during the winter season. Morocco has become Transavia’s number one destination in terms of seat-kilometers offered.

The country’s tourism industry is booming. Morocco welcomed 5.7 million tourists in the first four months of 2025, a 23% increase compared to the same period in 2024—adding one million additional visitors in just four months. April alone saw 1.7 million arrivals, up 27% from April 2024, indicating that Morocco’s appeal now transcends traditional peak seasons.

This builds upon Morocco’s record-breaking performance in 2024, when it attracted 17.4 million tourists, surpassing Egypt (15.7 million) to become Africa’s most-visited country. Morocco’s tourism revenue reached $11 billion in 2024, up from $10.5 billion the previous year. The 2024 figures represent a 20% increase from 2023 and more than 33% growth compared to pre-pandemic 2019 levels, when Morocco hosted 13 million tourists. France remains a crucial market, having contributed 2,421,539 visitors in 2024.

As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, its tourism sector’s outlook appears promising. Key factors propelling this growth include the introduction of 120 new airline routes in 2024 and new luxury hotels from brands like Four Seasons and Nobu. By 2030, Morocco aims to welcome 26 million tourists annually—50% more than current figures.