Morocco's tourism assets were showcased at a promotional event in Beijing on Thursday, attended by Chinese journalists and industry professionals. Organized by the Moroccan National Office of Tourism (ONMT), the event highlighted Morocco's diverse tourism offerings, including its rich gastronomy, ancient culture, and high-quality hotel and transport infrastructure. Addressing the event, Abdelkader El Ansari, Ambassador of Morocco to China, reviewed the dynamic growth of Morocco's tourism sector over the past 40 years. He emphasized the increasing importance of the Chinese tourism market for Moroccan operators, noting the decision to exempt Chinese citizens from visa requirements for visits to Morocco. In January 2020, Morocco further strengthened its tourism ties with China by launching a direct Casablanca-Beijing air route, which will be reinstated by Royal Air Maroc (RAM) from January 20, 2025, following a suspension due to the health crisis. El Ansari highlighted Morocco's diverse tourism attractions, catering to the interests of Chinese travelers, including cultural, seaside, and natural destinations, as well as gastronomy, sports, and wellness activities. Hicham Bellaziz, chief representative of the ONMT office in China, presented an overview of Morocco's tourism offerings, focusing on its economic capacity, infrastructure, hotel facilities, and tangible and intangible cultural heritage. He also discussed the ONMT's action plan for 2023-2026, centered around four pillars: marketing, digital, air, and distribution. Bellaziz emphasized the marketing component, which aims to amplify the impact of the ongoing international tourism promotion campaign in 20 countries under the slogan «Maroc, Terre de Lumière» (Morocco, Kingdom of Light). He announced the ONMT's plans to launch an online training platform for existing and potential business partners to enhance their understanding of the Chinese market. The event featured corporate films showcasing Morocco's main cities and destinations, as well as the country's rich cultural heritage.
