As of Tuesday (17 May), holidaymakers can enter Morocco on the basis of either a Covid-19 vaccine certificate or, if they’re not vaccinated against Covid-19, evidence of a negative pre-travel PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure. Children under the age of 12 are exempted from the rules.
The country’s tourism chief Adel El Fakir said Morocco stressed the importance of the UK market – its second largest – and said he wanted to thank the travel trade for its support.
Flight capacity from the UK, meanwhile, is set to exceed 2019 levels, with six airlines operating from the UK to Morocco this summer, flying to five destinations.
This week, the Moroccan National Tourism Office (MNTO) showcased its Kingdom of Light campaign, launched last month across 20 key global markets, including the UK.
The campaign focuses on the country’s rich culture, energy and creativity, with the MNTO hailing it a "complete change" in the way the country promotes itself. Its three central pillars are the country’s natural environment; its culture; and its beach, sports and leisure offering.
In the UK, the launch saw Morocco take over 48 out-of-home screens and 50 digital displays across the London Underground network and 10 London taxis. It has also taken out adverts on national television, in the national press and online.
“We are delighted to reconnect with travel industry partners in the UK as Morocco prepares for a rapid revival in 2022," said El Fakir, MNTO chief executive. "The tourism industry is critical to our economy which, before the pandemic, represented 7% of GDP.
“With the restart, since early February, of international tourism in Morocco and the easing of entry conditions from 17 May, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors once again to explore everything our spectacular country has to offer.
"The UK is the second-largest international market for Moroccan tourism, and we’re grateful for the continued support from tour operators and airlines as we grow the sector post-pandemic."
Morocco welcomed 13 million arrivals in 2019, including 600,000 Britons. Flight connections also are primed to exceed summer 2019 levels, according to the MNTO, with six airlines offering connections to five Moroccan destinations from seven airports across the UK and Ireland.
Air Arabia, British Airways, easyJet, Royal Air Maroc, Ryanair and Tui will all fly to Morocco this summer.
To qualify as "fully vaccinated" under Morocco’s entry rules, arrivals must be either triple jabbed or double jabbed with their second jab dating from less than four months ago.
No exceptions are made for youngsters aged 12 to 18.
