The meeting of the tourism professionals with the Minister of Tourism, Handicraft and Social and Solidarity Economy comes the day after the announcement by the government of the said conditions.
At the end of this meeting, the professionals, represented by the National Confederation of Tourism (FNT), the National Federation of the Hotel Industry (FNIH) and the National Federation of Travel Agencies, agreed with the ministry on two other sanitary measures to be adopted at the level of the various tourist institutions and companies.
Indeed, it is now clear that the aid plans put in place by the State will not suffice to make up for the considerable losses caused by the interruption of cross-border travel and the postponement of a large number of non-essential stays. Thus, tourism stakeholders, who have long argued for a cautious restoration of freedom of movement, seem committed to preserving the country’s achievements in the fight against the pandemic.
The new arrangement proposed by the industry includes vaccination of professionals and all workers in the sector who are in contact with tourists in order to safeguard the health and safety of visitors and employees.
It was also agreed at the meeting to carry out Covid-19 screening tests for tourists in tourist accommodation establishments 48 hours after their entry into the country.
The participants have also expressed their full involvement in the governmental measures which have been taken and their availability to implement the necessary measures to make the process of revival of the tourist activity a success.
The initiative of the professionals comes in the wake of Mrs Ammor
‘s speech to the Chamber of Councillors. She said that Morocco had experienced a 71% drop in tourist arrivals in 2021 compared to 2019, mentioning the loss of 20 million travellers and 90 billion dirhams in foreign exchange gains over the past two years.
According to the minister, Morocco has concluded 35 agreements with 15 partners to ensure an important revival of tourism and an influx of foreign tourists following the reopening of the borders.
As Moroccan tourism faces bleak prospects amidst the continuing crisis in Covid-19, professionals and officials are increasingly cautious and apprehensive.
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