Updated
So Many Reasons Why Morocco Should be your Tourism, Trade, and Investment Destination – Jean R. AbiNader
Casablanca Port in the Morning. Photo: Nathan Guy
Jean R. AbiNader, MATIC
March 7, 2017
Jean R. AbiNader, Exec. Dir., Moroccan American Trade and Investment Center
Here are 13 good reasons why Morocco should be your priority for travel, whether for business or pleasure. And it’s getting better all the time!
- Morocco is the only country in Africa with both Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean coastlines. Stop almost anywhere on either coast and you will find welcoming cities, towns, and villages, not to mention world class resorts, and access to incredible historic sites and cultural treasures in the interior.
- The culture and geography are varied, from the mountainous Rif, to the urban population of Casablanca, to the areas adjoining the Sahara, to the exciting seascapes of the South.
- More than 60% of Moroccans live in urban areas, so the country is constantly upgrading its transportation systems, with trams in Rabat and Casablanca and motorways that connect most of the major cities.
- Over 56% of Moroccans are employed in the services sector, most are bilingual (French & Arabic), and they all have a strong sense of hospitality.
- Since 2014, Morocco has been the most popular tourism destination in Africa, with more than 10 million visitors a year.
- Morocco is a primary destination for new project (greenfield) investments, ranking second in Africa after South Africa, which has a much bigger economy. France and Spain are the primary sources of investment, although the US is catching up quickly due to its financing of projects in aerospace, energy, and tourism.
- Morocco’s y-on-y “doing business” scores have improved annually since 2012.
- The largest car factory in Africa is in Morocco, operated by Renault; soon to be joined by a major Peugeot facility.
- Morocco hosts some of the largest wind farms and solar energy projects in Africa, determined to provide 50% of its domestic energy consumption by 2030. It is the only country in North Africa with virtually no fossil fuel resources, yet!
- While the US share of the Moroccan market has increased, it is its 5th largest trading partner, after India.
- According to the World Bank, Morocco is the 3rd easiest place to do business in Africa.
- One of its business strengths is overall infrastructure. Morocco is the top North African country and #4 in Africa for overall quality of infrastructure, with one of the most extensive transport networks on the continent. Its ports are rated the best-connected in Africa.
- Morocco is also #4 in ICT infrastructure, with one of the lowest costs for broadband in Africa. More than 99% of the population is covered by a mobile network with a cost of 3₵ per minute.
So what are you waiting for? Morocco is a year-round destination waiting to entertain, impress, and make you their partner.