Mo-s Tourist statistics

More tourists in Morocco thanks to world-Moroccans

The number of tourists who visited Morocco in the first nine months of the year is slightly increased in accordance with the Moroccan Tourism Observatory. In a statement they declare that the number of tourists in that period increased by 0.3 per cent to 8.1 million compared to last year.

The number of arrivals of foreign tourists between January and September fell by 3.6 per cent. The increase is due to an increase of 3.8 per cent in arrivals of foreign-based Moroccans. Especially Brits (-7%), Germans and French (-2%) Morocco visited less. The kingdom on the other hand had more Dutch (+ 2%), Belgians and Spaniards (+ 1%).

Unexpectedly, the number of Chinese and Russian tourists who visited Morocco since the beginning of the year. Their number increased by 184 and 102 per cent respectively! Agadir and Marrakech remain the top visit locations wich drew 60 per cent of the total number of tourists who visited Morocco.

The Mo-srocco Web Team

Mo-s Legzira beach

Ionic rock archway collapses on to beach in Morocco

One of two archways regarded as natural wonders comes down at Legzira beach, leaving a pile of rubble on Atlantic coast.

Legzira Beach, Morocco

One of two rock archways at Legzira beach on Morocco’s Atlantic coast has collapsed. A pile of red rubble was all that was left after the natural wonder near the city of Sidi Ifni, 93 miles (150km) south of Agadir, came down on Friday afternoon September 23.

They were among Morocco’s best-known natural wonders: two immense rock archways towering over Legzira beach on the Atlantic coast. Often cited as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Legzira is famous for sunsets punctuated by the rock structures jutting out from the cliffs.  It took Mother Nature thousands of years (formed by erosion) to create the most recognizable Natural Arch at Legzira beach in Mirleft, a village on Morocco’s southern coast.

Hundreds of pictures of the collapsed rock were shared on social media with sometimes harsh criticism of the local authorities. Residents of Sidi Ifni would have warned them repeatedly for the growing number of cracks in the bow. It is however not exactly known what caused the collapse, but the movement of the sea could be a factor. A large crack appeared on the southern face of the arch in March after a chunk of it fell off, Ifnipress reported. The second, larger arch remains standing further along the beach.

It was regarded as one of the greatest beaches in the world, for example it reached the 29th place in 2014.

The loss of the arch may have an impact on Morocco’s tourism sector, which saw a fall in overseas visitors in the first half of 2016. Fears of terrorism and regional instability are thought to be to blame for a decline in tourists heading to the main destinations of Agadir and Marrakech.

Source: The Guardian

The Mo-srocco Web Team

Mo-s Travel Safety

Morocco Among Safest Countries in the World

A travel advisory released by the US Department of State this Monday reveals the safest countries to travel to during the holiday season. Morocco was listed as safe.

The U.S. State Department released a travel advisory on Monday, November 21, indicating which countries are safe for travel during the upcoming holiday period. No alert or warning was issued in regards to Morocco. The only other country in North Africa that was labelled as safe besides Morocco is Egypt.

The Mo-srocco Web Team

Mo-s Travel picture 2016

National Geographic:

Travel Photographer of the year contest 2016 

Category: Cities
Location: Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Morocco

national-geographic-2016

Ben Youssef
Source: Photo and caption by Takashi Nakagawa

Marrakesh, Morocco, is an exciting city for any traveler, but I was tired of walking on the crowded street and being asked for money from local people, so I was looking for a place to settle down. Even though there were a lot of people in Ben Youssef Madrasa, it was still a more quiet and relaxing place than outside. Suddenly a beautiful reflection appeared on the shallow pool when I was taking a rest.

The Mo-srocco Web Team