Latest news with #AchrafFayda
Morocco World
04-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco's Tourism Chief Brings All Staff Together for Major Strategic Reset
Rabat — Morocco's National Tourism Office (ONMT) has called an unprecedented all-hands meeting in Rabat, bringing together executives from headquarters and international offices for the first time. The move seems to be an extensive overhaul through which the office intends to enhance its managerial performance and signals a major shift in how the country plans to tackle its tourism ambitions. Achraf Fayda, who took over as head of the tourism office eight months ago, organized this comprehensive staff mobilization to align everyone around a shared vision. The meeting represents more than just internal reorganization,as ONMT chief wants to create a workplace culture focused on results, quick decision-making, and mutual trust. He says his team plans to identify top talent across the organization, improve communication between departments, cut red tape, and invest in employee development. Recent wins set the stage This internal reset builds on several recent successes that have helped Morocco gain ground in global tourism. The 'Morocco, Land of Football' marketing campaign created a buzz and connected with audiences worldwide. Two focused initiatives — one highlighting Fès and another promoting Ouarzazate — featured Morocco's rich history and natural beauty to potential visitors. Read also: Morocco's ONMT Launches Strategic Tourism Plans for Fez, Ouarzazate The tourism office has also struck deals with major international travel companies to increase flights to Morocco and boost the country's visibility in key markets. Eyes on major events ahead The Rabat meeting comes at a crucial time, with Morocco preparing to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations and co-host the World Cup in 2030. These events will put the country in front of millions of viewers worldwide and represent massive opportunities to attract new visitors. The tourism office plans to create a detailed action plan that takes advantage of these upcoming events. But first, they want to make sure their team works as a unified force. Industry partnership on the horizon The next phase will expand beyond the tourism office itself, as Fayda plans to bring in tourism industry professionals from across Morocco through the National Tourism Confederation. Together, they'll develop a comprehensive strategy that the entire sector can rally behind, departing from top-down planning. Morocco's tourism leadership wants to tap into expertise from hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and other businesses that deal with visitors daily. The comprehensive staff meeting represents Morocco's recognition that successful tourism development requires more than marketing campaigns and infrastructure projects. It demands organizations that can execute effectively and adapt quickly to changing conditions in the global travel market. Tags: Morocco TourismNational Tourism Office (ONMT)ONMTTourism
Morocco World
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
ONMT Launches Football-Focused Roadshow Ahead of AFCON 2025
Rabat – In the lead-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco has launched a European tour to present itself as the host of Africa's biggest football event, as well as a country where sport, culture, and tourism intersect with purpose. From June 16-23, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) is leading a five-city roadshow under the banner 'Morocco, Land of Football.' The campaign stops in Madrid, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Milan, five European hubs where the appetite for football runs deep and connections to Morocco are strong. At the heart of this tour lies the vision that Morocco is more than a mere destination, but instead is a proud, future-facing country anchored in its African identity and football culture. With AFCON 2025 on the horizon, the campaign seeks to draw attention to Morocco's preparations and its ability to deliver a world-class event rooted in hospitality, modernity, and passion for the game. 'Morocco is ready to welcome Africa,' said ONMT Director General Achraf Fayda in a statement. 'This roadshow tells the story of a country proud of its roots, united by football, and committed to offering something greater than a tournament. We want people to feel the experience of AFCON 2025 before they even arrive.' The tour reflects a broader effort launched through a strategic agreement between ONMT and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), signed earlier this year. Throughout the tour, Moroccan officials will meet with European travel experts, sports industry professionals, and media figures. More than 100 travel agents and tour operators join the gathering in each stop, alongside African tourism specialists. By putting forward its infrastructure, its youth, and its welcoming spirit, Morocco positions itself as more than a host. It proposes a shared African narrative, ambitious, inclusive, and rooted in real partnerships. This roadshow etches one of the key moments in Morocco's buildup to AFCON 2025. Morocco will also co-host the most anticipated FIFA 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. Tags: AFCON 2025FootballFRMFMoroccoONMT
Ya Biladi
28-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco steps up at ITB China 2025 to attract Chinese tourists
The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) is actively participating in ITB China 2025, a key B2B travel trade show held from May 27 to 29 in Shanghai, announces a press release. With a 300 m² stand at the heart of the event, Morocco aims to position itself as a must-visit destination for Chinese travelers seeking authentic, safe, and high-quality experiences. «China is a priority market in our global strategy», said ONMT Director General Achraf Fayda, highlighting efforts to build stronger ties with Chinese tourism operators and drive growth through Morocco's unique appeal and new air connections. This presence includes over 600 exhibitors from 80 countries and more than 1,000 buyers and 15,000 travel professionals. As China's outbound tourism rebounds, reaching 130 million travelers in 2024 and an expected 155 million in 2025, Morocco aims to expand its market share. A highlight of ONMT's participation: the signing of a three-year strategic MoU with China's largest online travel agency. This partnership targets 1.15 million Chinese overnight stays in Morocco by 2028 and will enhance Morocco's image and visibility, including in Japan and South Korea. ONMT will also ink agreements with other major Chinese tourism players like FLIGGY, CITS, UTS, and Shanghai Youpai International Travel, focusing on key hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, with the goal of adding 100,000 overnight stays. This push aligns with Morocco's broader strategy to strengthen its presence in Asia, tap into high-value tourism flows, and solidify its status as a top global destination.
Morocco World
28-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
ONMT Seeks to Boost Morocco's Presence in Chinese Tourism Market
Rabat – Morocco's Tourism Office (ONMT) is keen to secure a stronger presence in the Chinese market, which presents key opportunities for the Moroccan tourism sector. The office announced its participation in the 2025 ITB China, which is taking place at the Shanghai World Exhibition between May 27 and 29. The office's goal is to promote Morocco as a top destination for Chinese travelers, ONMT said, noting that this market is a priority within its international expansion strategy. 'At ITB China, we are here to strengthen our relationships with Chinese tourism operators and co-create a new growth dynamic by capitalizing on Morocco's unique appeal and the new air connectivity being developed,' the statement quoted ONMT General Director Achraf Fayda as saying. Morocco is present at the exhibition with a stand of over 300 square meters, taking part in the exhibition alongside more than 600 international exhibitors from 80 countries. ONMT has stressed the importance of the Chinese travel market, which witnessed a spectacular recovery with 130 million outbound travelers in 2024. This number is expected to reach 155 million in 2025, according to UN Tourism. ONMT highlighted Morocco's active presence at the event by announcing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with China's largest online travel agency The partnership spans three years, starting spring 2025, with the aim of achieving an ambitious target of 1.15 million overnight stays by Chinese tourists in Morocco by 2028. The partnership also focuses on enhancing Morocco's tourism appeal, including in related markets like Japan and Korea. ONMT is also planning other partnerships with major players in the Chinese market, like Fliggy, CITS, UTS, and Shanghai Youpai International Travel. 'These agreements particularly target key source markets like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, with a global goal of 100,000 additional overnight stays,' ONMT concluded. Morocco welcomed 17.4 million tourists last year, and now aspires to attract more than 26 million tourists by 2030. ONMT has been expanding efforts to support this goal by launching several campaigns, aiming to attract tourists from different markets. The tourism sector is one of the main contributors to the country's economy. The Exchange Office said in February this year that travel revenues reached $11.1 billion in 2024, showing a growth of 7.5% compared to a year earlier.
Ya Biladi
16-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
ONMT positions Agadir-Taghazout as epicenter of French-Moroccan tourism
The annual congress of French Travel Companies (EDV) is being hosted in Agadir-Taghazout from May 15-18, 2025. This strategic choice by Morocco's National Tourism Office (ONMT) aims to strengthen relationships between tourism professionals from both countries. Over three days, more than 400 French decision-makers—including travel agencies, tour operators, transporters, and hoteliers—will gather to discuss the future of tourism, share industry trends, and develop market perspectives for 2025-2026. A professional workshop scheduled for Friday, May 16, will facilitate direct meetings between Moroccan operators, hoteliers, receptive agencies, institutions, and French decision-makers to foster commercial partnerships and develop new products. «Hosting this congress in the Agadir region demonstrates our commitment to bringing Moroccan and French tourism ecosystems closer together. It creates concrete opportunities for synergies and positions Morocco as a priority for French travel advisors», said Achraf Fayda, Director General of ONMT.
