Morocco mesmerizes Chinese tourists

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Morocco rose significantly last year, in the wake of the African country announcing visa exemption for Chinese citizens in June 2016. Since then, nearly 120,000 Chinese people have visited Morocco, according to Aziz Mekouar, ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to China.

“The number of Chinese tourists increased by 240 percent year-onyear in 2017. In three or four years, we expect the number of Chinese arrivals to exceed 1 million,” the ambassador said.

Morocco is located in the northwest of Africa.

The snow-capped mountains in the south and ancient city sites throughout the country have contributed to the richness of the country’s tourism resources. Its colorful culture has evolved from various civilizations that the country has been home to throughout many eras.

From the Byzantine civilization to Roman influence to Arab civilization, then the Spanish and French presence, all have made the country a panorama of genuine multiculturalism, according to the embassy.

“Morocco is an exotic country. If you go there, you will see something different,” the ambassador said.

According to a recent Xinhua report, the growth rate of Chinese tourists in the region ranks first among other countries in Africa.

Morocco’s tourism minister Mohammed Sajid said that the country will continue to improve facilities and services, and will open direct flights between the two countries.