Moroccan Tourists Spend Over €1 Billion in Spain as Luxury Travel Demand Grows

Fez – Moroccan tourists spent more than €1 billion in Spain in 2023, highlighting the growing importance of Moroccan travelers to the Spanish tourism market and the rising demand for luxury and shopping-focused trips.

According to figures released by Turespaña, Moroccan visitors spent around €1 billion, or nearly 10 billion dirhams, in Spain last year. 

The amount marks an increase of 16.7% compared to 2022.

Spain remains the second most popular foreign destination for Moroccan travelers, attracting nearly 20% of Moroccans traveling abroad. 

The Costa del Sol region continues to draw large numbers of visitors throughout the year, especially between April and September, thanks to its beaches, leisure activities and strong air connections with Morocco.

Direct flights linking Casablanca to Madrid and other Spanish cities in less than two hours have made travel easier for Moroccan tourists. 

Many travelers also choose to cross the Mediterranean by ferry.

The report shows that Andalusia is the leading destination for Moroccan tourists in Spain, receiving nearly 47.7% of visitors.

Other popular destinations include Madrid and Catalonia.

Cities such as Marbella, Estepona and Torremolinos have seen a growing number of Moroccan families, particularly among wealthy travelers and owners of second homes in the Costa del Sol area.

Spanish tourism data also shows strong loyalty among Moroccan visitors. 

More than half of Moroccan tourists traveling to Spain have visited the country over ten times, reflecting a long-term connection with the Spanish tourism market.

Spanish reports describe Moroccan tourists as an increasingly important economic force for several sectors, including hotels, real estate, shopping centers and luxury brands. 

The average Moroccan tourist spends around €1,193 per trip, with a daily budget estimated at €193.

The figures also point to a shift toward luxury tourism, shopping and premium urban experiences. 

Clothing and accessories account for more than 40% of international tourist spending in Spain, followed by bags and leather products at 18.8%, and jewelry and watches at 12.1%.

In tax-free shopping, Barcelona remains the leading destination, followed by Madrid and Malaga.

The increase also comes after Morocco raised the limit for personal travel transfers to 500,000 dirhams earlier this year, up from 400,000 dirhams, under new rules introduced by Office des Changes.