Discover Marrakech

12/02/2025

African art shines in Marrakesh

In the heart of Marrakesh, the annual 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has invigorated the local art scene, leveraging the city’s rich aesthetic heritage to showcase emerging African artists to an international audience.

The recent edition featured 30 galleries from 14 countries across Africa and Europe, attracting collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts worldwide.

In the heart of Marrakesh, the annual 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair has invigorated the African art scene, leveraging the city's rich aesthetic heritage to showcase emerging artists to an international audience.

10/02/2025

Morocco has awarded contracts worth €430 million ($444 million) to expand the country’s high-speed rail network ahead of the 2030 Fifa World Cup, according to the successful French bidder.

The Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF), the national rail operator, awarded three contracts to two subsidiaries of French civil engineering company Colas to extend a high-speed line from Kenitra, an industrial city on the Atlantic coast, inland to Marrakech, a historic tourism and conference centre.

The country already operates a Spanish-built TGV high speed train line from Casablanca, the commercial capital on the Atlantic, to Tangier on the Mediterranean.

Last month transport and logistics minister Abdul Samad Qayuh said that Morocco was planning to invest nearly 96 billion dirhams ($9.5 billion) to expand its rail network further over the next five years.

https://www.agbi.com/infrastructure/2025/02/work-accelerates-on-moroccos-high-speed-rail/

09/02/2025

When fashion met travel: the most stylish new riad in Marrakesh
Romeo Gigli has designed outfits for everyone from Nicole Kidman to Bianca Jagger. His latest project? An excitingly avant-garde hotel

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/africa-travel/morocco/marrakesh/marrakeshs-most-exciting-new-riad-created-by-a-fashion-designer-gp30kf6sn

09/02/2025

09/02/2025

Good morning!

07/02/2025

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays expand Morocco winter programme

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have expanded their winter 2025-26 programme again, by adding two routes to Morocco:

Bournemouth to Agadir and Leeds Bradford to Marrakech (pictured).

It said the extra routes have been added because of “continued demand for beach holidays and city breaks to Morocco”.

Their addition also means the companies will operate to the North African country from eight UK bases in winter 2025-26.

The services from Bournemouth to Agadir will operate weekly on Tuesdays, from November 4 to March 24, 2026.

Jet2 will also serve Agadir next winter from Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Stansted – and from nine UK airports across all seasons.

The Leeds Bradford-Marrakech service will operate twice-weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays from October 3 to April 28, 2026.

It also means that that Jet2 will operate to Marrakech from six UK airports: Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Stansted in addition to Leeds Bradford.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We have experienced a phenomenal reaction since launching our Morocco programme, with customers and independent travel agents jumping at the chance to book our award-winning flights and holidays to both Agadir and Marrakech.

“We are very excited to be giving even more holidaymakers the chance to experience these incredible destinations, and we know these new routes from Bournemouth and Leeds Bradford will be extremely popular.”

https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/jet2-com-and-jet2holidays-expand-morocco-winter-programme

Brands add Bournemouth-Agadir and Leeds Bradford-Marrakech

07/02/2025

In Morocco: Old-Hollywood Casablanca, Bright-Blue Chefchaouen, And Magical MarrakeshMorocco is Africa's most visited country, but Indian tourists account for only a miniscule percentage of the visitors

Marrakesh:
How many Indians do you think visit Morocco in a year? In 2024, a year that was exceptionally good for tourism in Morocco and saw 17.4 million international tourists, Indian visitors accounted for less than one percent. In fact, less than a quarter of a percent: 0.23% to be precise; or 40,000. The North African country sees very few tourists from India make their way to the shores of the Atlantic after navigating hours of flights and layovers in the Middle East or the Gulf.

Casablanca
Casablanca, that word which is a whole Hollywood love story in itself, is also the biggest city and main airport in Morocco. Add to that the Spanish, French, American, and African and Berber influences, and you have a place at once cosmopolitan and steeped in tradition.

Then there is that all-encompassing pop culture.

Casablanca; classic Hollywood where Humphrey Bogart fell in love with Ingrid Bergman and left the world pining for a love like that. The city has a cafe, Rick's, designed as a tribute to the gin joint from that great American film. The movie and its gin joint Rick's was all shot in a studio in the US. Neither Bergman nor Borgart ever set foot in Casablanca, but a smart American woman did a few decades later.

Kathy Kriger transformed that mythical saloon from the 1942 film into a brick-and-plaster cafe in Casablanca in 2004. For 20 years since then, the place has seen a steady stream of tourists queuing outside Rick's for a heady concoction of Hollywood and wine, both vintage. The white cafe is the quintessential tourist trap. But you know you won't leave Casablanca without a photo next to Bogart and Bergman's poster from 1942.

From Rick's, head to the Corniche. The sea face is lined with hip clubs where local singers sing Arabic songs from dusk to dawn. Advertisements and football scores share screen space in by-the-way bars as patrons break into a dance after a healthy drag of the ho**ah. Outside, the waves crash into the boulders at high tide.

A drive along the promenade takes you to the promontory that houses the Hassan II mosque, the second largest mosque in Africa (the largest is Egypt's Grand Mosque). The mosque is Casablanca's landmark. Its 60-storey minaret is topped with a laser directed towards Mecca. On big event days, over a lakh come together to pray in the Hassan II complex.

Cont... https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/in-morocco-travel-casablanca-chefchaouen-marrakesh-7654861

20/01/2025

THE MOST VISITED AFRICAN DESTINATIONS IN 2024

After a challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Africa's tourism industry is experiencing a remarkable recovery. In 2024, this development was especially evident in Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa. These nations have not only attracted millions of visitors but have also strengthened the vital role of tourism in their economies.

Morocco topped the ranking of the most visited African destinations in 2024, welcoming 17.4 million tourists, a significant increase from the 14.5 million in 2023. This impressive figure brings the kingdom close to its target of 17.5 million visitors annually.

Morocco's efforts to enhance its appeal as a tourist destination are paying off. Intensive promotional campaigns, substantial investments in infrastructure, and a rich cultural and natural heritage have attracted travelers from around the globe. Tourism accounts for about 7% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and generates considerable revenue. By November 2024, tourism revenues had reached 104 billion dirhams, approximately $10.3 billion.

https://www.tourism-review.com/morocco-is-among-the-most-visited-african-destinations-news14759

17/01/2025

Morocco has crowned itself Africa's most-visited destination, welcoming 17.4 million tourists in 2024—just a year after a deadly earthquake struck near its star destination, Marrakesh.

The milestone gives Morocco an edge over Egypt, which had long led the continent in tourism. Egypt also broke its own record, attracting 15.7 million visitors in 2024, but it wasn't enough to hold on to first place.

Tourism revenue in Morocco also hit a new high in 2024, reaching $11 billion, up from $10.5 billion the previous year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

While no central authority tracks arrival numbers for all African nations, UN Tourism data shows North African countries consistently dominate. Egypt, with its pyramids and the Nile, and Morocco, famous for its mountains, medinas, and celebrated cuisine, are in a league of their own on the continent.

By contrast, safari destinations in sub-Saharan Africa, such as South Africa and Botswana, attract far fewer visitors and earn only a fraction of North Africa's tourism revenue.

https://www.newarab.com/news/morocco-dethrones-egypt-becomes-top-tourist-spot-africa

16/01/2025

Sesamo Royal Mansour Marrakech was voted 'Africa's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024' at the 5th annual World Culinary Awards.



Entries for this year's awards programme open on 22 January. Visit our website for more information or to submit your entry.

11/01/2025

Morocco Becomes Africa’s Ultimate Travel Powerhouse Surpassing 17.4M Visitors and Outshining Egypt with Unmatched Revenue Milestones

Morocco emerges as Africa’s top travel powerhouse, surpassing 17.4M visitors in 2024 and outshining Egypt with record-breaking tourism revenue growth.

A little over a year after a powerful earthquake struck the High Atlas Mountains near Marrakech, Morocco has emerged as Africa’s most visited destination. In 2024, the country welcomed 17.4 million visitors, as reported by the Ministry of Tourism.

This achievement positions Morocco ahead of Egypt, the continent’s former tourism leader, which also set a personal record with 15.7 million arrivals last year. While no global body tracks visitor numbers for every African nation, both the UN Tourism Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council confirm that North African countries consistently outperform their sub-Saharan counterparts in terms of visitor numbers.

Morocco’s 2024 visitor count reflects a remarkable 20% increase from 2023 and a 33% surge compared to 2019, when it hosted 13 million tourists. These numbers put the nation two years ahead of its tourism targets, further solidifying its reputation as a premier travel destination.

The growth isn’t limited to visitor numbers. Morocco also saw record-breaking tourism revenue in 2024, generating $11 billion compared to $10.5 billion the previous year. While Egypt earned $14.1 billion in the same period, both nations dominate Africa’s tourism scene, far outpacing safari-focused destinations like South Africa and Botswana in both visitor volume and revenue.

Key Drivers of Morocco’s Tourism Boom
Several factors have fueled Morocco’s success. In 2024, the country launched 120 new airline routes, including United Airlines’ nonstop service from Newark to Marrakech. Additionally, high-profile luxury hotel openings, such as Four Seasons and Nobu properties across the country, have enhanced Morocco’s appeal to affluent travelers. The Royal Mansour’s expansion, with a second hotel opening in Casablanca, further encouraged extended stays and exploration beyond Marrakech.

Morocco Prepares for Major Sporting Events
Looking ahead, Morocco is gearing up for significant international events, starting with the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from December 2025 to January 2026. This tournament is expected to draw soccer fans globally, further boosting tourism. Following the Moroccan national team’s historic run to the World Cup semifinals in 2022—the first African team to achieve this milestone—domestic tourism is also anticipated to surge.

By 2030, as Morocco co-hosts the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, the country aims to attract 26 million annual visitors, a 50% increase over its current record. This ambitious goal highlights Morocco’s continued ascent as a global tourism powerhouse.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/morocco-becomes-africas-ultimate-travel-powerhouse-surpassing-17-4m-visitors-and-outshining-egypt-with-unmatched-revenue-milestones/

31/12/2024

🎉✨ Thank You & Happy New Year! ✨🎉
As 2024 comes to a close, I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you for your likes, comments, and support throughout the year. Your engagement and kindness have made this space so much more meaningful, and I truly appreciate every connection we've shared. 💬❤️
Here's to a 2025 filled with health, happiness, and endless opportunities! May your year ahead be as bright and wonderful as you are. ✨🌟
If you're traveling, please stay safe and enjoy every moment of your journey. 🛫🌍
Cheers to a fresh start and the adventures ahead! 🥂🎆

29/12/2024

29/12/2024

Africa's most visited country with a whopping 16million tourists last year

Marrakesh, the enchanting 'Red City,' captivates with its vibrant souks and ancient medinas. Discover why millions are drawn to its unique allure.

Morocco has become an increasingly popular tourist destination for holidaymakers in Europe and beyond.

Marrakesh, known as the ‘Red City,’ joins Casablanca and the capital Rabat as one of the major draws to the country.

https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1993572/morooco-africa-most-visited-country

27/12/2024

Morocco is emerging as a top choice for Spanish tourists celebrating New Year’s Eve, with recent data from GuruWalk revealing a notable increase in bookings to the North African destination between 2021 and 2024. This shift reflects a growing interest among Spanish travelers in exploring unique cultural experiences outside of Europe.

Over the past three years, Morocco has seen its share of Spanish holiday bookings rise to 3%, a significant leap from its marginal presence in 2021. Meanwhile, domestic travel in Spain has declined sharply, with bookings falling from 60% in 2021 to just 22% in 2024. This trend highlights a changing dynamic in how Spanish tourists prioritize their holiday destinations, increasingly favoring international travel.

Despite Europe maintaining a dominant hold on Spanish travel preferences—accounting for 92% of bookings in 2024, down from 97% in 2021—Morocco has carved out a niche for itself. Cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fez have become sought-after destinations for New Year celebrations, offering an enticing mix of traditional music, dance, and festive atmospheres that are distinctly different from European counterparts.

This surge in interest aligns with Morocco’s broader tourism success. By November 2024, the country welcomed nearly 16 million visitors, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous year. With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the nation is preparing to attract even more tourists, targeting 26 million arrivals annually by the end of the decade.

The appeal of Morocco goes beyond its vibrant New Year festivities. Spanish travelers are drawn to its diverse attractions, from the bustling markets of Marrakech and the historic medinas of Fez to the stunning landscapes of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. For many, Morocco offers a blend of cultural richness and accessibility, making it an ideal destination for those seeking memorable and unique experiences.

Additionally, Morocco’s proximity to Spain and affordability make it an attractive choice for short international getaways. The country’s investments in tourism infrastructure, including luxury hotels, guided tours, and improved transport networks, have further enhanced its reputation as a world-class destination.

As Spanish tourists continue to expand their horizons, Morocco is poised to remain a favorite for New Year celebrations and beyond. With its combination of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern amenities, the country offers something for every traveler, ensuring its place on the map as a must-visit destination.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/morocco-rises-as-a-top-choice-for-spanish-tourists-celebrating-new-year-in-marrakech-casablanca-and-fez/

24/12/2024

🎄✨ Merry Christmas! 🎅🎁

To all our wonderful readers, friends, and families—wishing you a joyous holiday filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. May your day be as bright and magical as the season itself! 🌟❤️
Safe travels to everyone journeying near and far to celebrate with loved ones. Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy every moment of this special time.

Thank you for being part of our community. Here's to a holiday season full of happiness and a new year full of hope!

🎄❄️ Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎉🎶

21/12/2024

Edinburgh, Marrakesh And Krakow Named As Top Ryanair Christmas Getaways For 2024

Ryanair, Europe’s leading airline, has just revealed its top last-minute picks for celebrating the festive season this Christmas (20 Dec). Whether you’re chasing a magical white Christmas, seeking an adventurous escape, or craving sunshine by the sea, Ryanair’s extensive network of over 235 destinations has something for everyone. Here are three standout destinations to make your Christmas unforgettable:

Marrakesh: Morocco’s saying, “a cold country with a hot sun,” comes to life in Marrakesh. While the Atlas Mountains are dusted with snow during winter, the city enjoys warm, sun-filled days and cool nights. Whether you’re soaking up the sunshine by the pool or exploring the vibrant souks, Marrakesh offers a unique Christmas blend of relaxation and cultural charm.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/edinburgh-marrakesh-and-krakow-named-as-top-ryanair-christmas-getaways-for-2024/