1,00,000 tourists by 2027? Morocco sees potential in India, pushes for direct flights to boost tourism

Morocco is increasingly appealing to experience-driven Indian travellers. India and Morocco share strong bilateral ties, with trade reaching $4.2 billion in 2023 across sectors such as defence, agriculture, and tourism.

Bengaluru: Morocco is looking to attract more Indian tourists in the coming years, positioning itself as a bespoke destination for discerning travellers. The North African country, located at the crossroads of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, recorded 53,697 arrivals from India in 2025 —  a 31% rise over 2024 (40,960) and a 224% surge compared to 2019 (16,527). With its mix of imperial cities, desert landscapes, and coastal locales, Morocco is increasingly appealing to experience-driven Indian travellers.

Clarifying that these figures are based on passports, Jamal Younes Kilito, Country Manager (India), Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO), said, “India is a fast-growing market for us, and the momentum continues. Growth stood at 30% as of January this year. We aim to sustain this pace, reaching 70,000 Indian visitors this year and 100,000 by 2027. This scale is important to strengthen travel conditions, especially in encouraging airlines to enhance connectivity.”

Globally, Morocco welcomed about 19.8 million tourists in 2025, marking a 14% increase over the previous year. “Our goal is to attract 26 million international visitors by 2030, with 180,000-200,000 expected from India. Direct air connectivity will be key to achieving this,” Kilito told DH.

Currently, Indian travellers reach Morocco via West Asian hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi (the UAE), Doha (Qatar), and Manama (Bahrain), as well as several European cities, landing in Casablanca or Marrakesh. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have shifted some traffic through Saudi Arabia, while others opt for ferry connections from Spain, Italy, and France.

With Indian travellers becoming more adventurous and culturally-inclined, Morocco is keen to expand its appeal, while advancing discussions on direct connectivity. “We have initiated conversations with major airlines, both Indian and Moroccan, to improve direct access,” Kilito said, adding that flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad are being targeted within the next two years, though aircraft delivery delays remain a challenge.

The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. Photo credit: Special Arrangement

India and Morocco share strong bilateral ties, with trade reaching $4.2 billion in 2023 across sectors such as defence, agriculture, and tourism. Morocco also positions itself as a gateway to Africa for Indian travellers.
“Our largest tourist markets include France (5 million arrivals annually), Spain (3 million), followed by the UK and Germany (over 1 million each), and the US (500,000),” Kilito noted.

The country is also preparing to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, an opportunity to significantly upgrade infrastructure, including airports, roads, railways, and over 75 new hotels.

Morocco currently offers over 300,000 hotel keys across global brands, with an additional 20,000 beds expected from upcoming projects.
On the India front, MNTO remains optimistic. “Over the past two years, we have consistently built awareness through trade engagement, social media, and training programmes. While numbers are still growing, we are steadily increasing aspiration and demand,” Kilito said, noting encouraging responses from travel agents in Bengaluru and rising bookings through online travel agencies.
“India is rapidly evolving into a high-intent, high-value market for Morocco. We are seeing strong momentum across MICE, luxury travel, and destination weddings, supported by growing media visibility and strategic collaborations," he added.