The Moroccan desert is emerging as a major draw for European tourists, with Spanish travel operators leading the charge. In 2024, over 2.6 million Spaniards visited Morocco, a 17% increase fueled by the development of sustainable tourist hubs in desert and Saharan regions.
The Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV) selected southeastern Morocco for its annual technical conference, held in partnership with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT).
Around 100 Spanish experts convened in Erfoud, Errachidia, Merzouga, and Ouarzazate, surrounded by the sweeping sands and dramatic landscapes of the desert, described by participants as an “exceptional inspirational setting.”
The conference provided a platform to explore emerging challenges in tourism, including NDC distribution systems, virtual payment solutions, and sector-specific taxation.
CEAV, representing over 70% of the Spanish travel market, emphasized the importance of these exchanges in strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding tourist circuits to Morocco’s southern regions.
The opening session featured representatives from ONMT Spain, the Regional Tourism Council, and the Drâa-Tafilalet Regional Investment Center. Speakers praised Morocco’s efforts to provide modern infrastructure and high-quality hospitality while preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the desert.
Carlos Garrido, president of CEAV, said, “The Moroccan desert offers a setting of rare beauty, ideal for reflecting on the future of travel and the place that humans occupy within it.” He described the conference as “an essential instrument of cohesion and innovation” for Spanish tourism.
Sessions led by experts from Iberia, Iberia Cards, Deloitte, and the Association of Women Tourism Business Leaders (ASEET) underscored sustainability, digitalization, and discovery as the key pillars for the future of tourism. Participants unanimously recognized Morocco’s ability to combine modernity with authenticity, consolidating its reputation as a must-visit destination for European travelers.
With initiatives like these, Morocco aims to diversify its tourism offerings beyond traditional coastal destinations, positioning the desert as both a cultural showcase and an economic driver for the country’s southern regions.
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