26/11/2007
Tourism investment in Morocco's eastern region totalled $340m in 2006, up from $23.2m in 2005, according to a survey of the Commerce, Industry and Services Chamber. The survey noted that the tourism sector constituted 52.4% of overall investment in 2006 compared to 47.6% for other sectors. Twenty-eight tourism projects were approved in 2006, generating some 4,276 job opportunities, the survey pointed out. Between 1995 through 2005, the number of tourists and guest nights rose by 21.1% and 22.7%, respectively. French citizens topped the list of tourists, followed by Spaniards, British, Algerians, Dutch, and Belgians.
Tourism receipts remain a principal source of foreign currency and help offset the trade deficit. The government has targeted the sector's development in the Vision 2010 strategy to attract 10m tourists by 2010.