North Africa Prepares to Become China's Next Preferred Destination
North African nations are enhancing their appeal to Chinese travelers, with Morocco and Tunisia leading efforts to boost tourism from the region.
Attendees at this year’s ITB China may have noticed that North African nations took up a considerable amount of floor space at the event, which reflects their growing popularity among Chinese travelers. North Africa is made up of countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and the Western Sahara, all of which boast rich histories spanning 3,000 to 5,000 years. The influx of travelers from the Far East signals a rising interest in this region.
Morocco Works to Prepare for Chinese Travelers
The Moroccan National Tourism Office, led by Achraf Fayda, is actively working to attract Chinese tourists. The return of Royal Air Maroc’s direct flights between Beijing and Casablanca is a significant step in this direction, with plans to increase flight frequency to seven times a week. Fayda stated: “We are working to make Morocco China Ready.” This certification ensures that destination facilities cater to Chinese travelers, and Morocco aims to be the first North African country to achieve this status.
As part of their efforts, Morocco is organizing a B2B event to connect 60 major Chinese travel agencies with local services, which is expected to significantly increase tourism.
Tunisia Sees Increasing Chinese Tourist Numbers
Anouar Chetoui from the Tunisian Tourism Office is also looking forward to welcoming approximately 30,000 Chinese visitors this year. Despite this being a small fraction compared to the 11 million expected foreign arrivals, it’s a promising step in a vital market. Chetoui commented: “We will continue our promotional activities for Tunisia in the Chinese market.” Plans for upcoming media trips and direct flight routes between Tunis and Beijing aim to enhance accessibility and tourism growth.
Beyond Cultural Tourism
North Africa is not only recognized for its cultural significance but is also emerging as a leading destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. The popularity of sporting events, like golf in Tunisia and the FIFA World Cup in Morocco, contributes further to attracting diverse tourist segments.
