Morocco launches ‘tourist’ charm operation in Great Britain

The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) organized a Webinar in London on Tuesday dedicated to the presentation of its roadmap for the resumption of tourism in Morocco, after the confinement imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Initiated by the ONMT delegation in London, under the theme: “Morocco’s roadmap to recovery”, this webinar was an opportunity to discuss with British and international tour operators and airlines around the various health measures undertaken in Morocco to promote the tourism sector, but also the various partnership opportunities for the reopening of the Morocco destination.

Speaking at the opening of this meeting, the Director General of the ONMT, Adil El Fakir assured that Morocco has put in place “robust health protocols”, whether in airports, hotels, restaurants or public places to ensure the safety of tourists.

Moreover, recalls El Fakir, “Morocco’s reactivity and determination in the face of this pandemic from day one were relayed in the media around the world”, highlighting the national strategy led under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI to fight against the health crisis.

He also noted that Morocco “has confirmed its position as a mature and well-established destination in the British market: with more than half a million arrivals in the United Kingdom in 2019, an increase of + 8%”, noting that the Kingdom is today “more determined than ever to maintain this position and to achieve the objective set before the Covid 19 pandemic: aiming to position Morocco among the preferred destinations of the British”.

Indeed, continues Mr. El Fakir, it is already a relief that Morocco, since September, has joined the list of destinations that have opened their borders to international tourism, under certain conditions, noting that the Kingdom will continue to give priority to the UK market and to consolidate its image as a popular and fast growing tourist destination through an innovative new communication approach which will be announced very soon.

For his part, the delegate of the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) for the United Kingdom and Ireland, Jamal Kilito highlighted the role of the ONMT in the financial and logistical support of tour operators in the operations repatriation as well as in the promotion of internal tourism during the period of confinement in Morocco, noting that the recovery of the tourism sector for the British market was divided into two stages, that of post-containment, and that of post-Covid- 19.

Mr. Kilito further noted that the first recovery plan focuses on “targeted categories” of travelers, on offer and marketing, in addition to special support for tour operators, travel sites (OTAs) and to airlines.

This includes, according to him, the promotion of the quality of stay of the travelers having to observe a quarantine, in particular by ensuring sanitary conditions and by offering competitive prices, a free connection, while guaranteeing flexibility in the terms of cancellation. reservations as well as the presence of value-added activities.

About fifty participants representing British and international tour operators as well as airlines took part in this virtual meeting, in addition to representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Air Transport, the National Airports Office (ONDA) and the National Confederation of Tourism.