Morocco arrivals jump 7% as officials draft 20% rent cuts for short-term stays

A 7% jump in Q1 arrivals

Morocco drew 4.3 million visitors between January and March 2026, a 7% increase over the same period in 2025, the Ministry of Tourism reported. March alone accounted for roughly 1.6 million arrivals, up 18% year on year.

Tourism receipts climbed faster than the headcount. Q1 revenue reached MAD 31 billion, up 24% from a year earlier, per ministry figures relayed by Reuters.

The surge lands as the government moves to tighten oversight of short-term rentals. Reporting in January 2026 indicated officials were drafting measures linking Airbnb-style growth to rising housing costs, with one proposal aimed at cutting rental prices by about 20% from current market levels.

Where the squeeze hits hardest

Pressure is concentrated in Marrakech, Taghazout, Casablanca and Rabat, where short-term rental supply has tightened most. Nomads and expats negotiating monthly leases in those hubs are the most exposed to price competition from visitors paying nightly rates.

Tourists planning peak-season stays may find narrower availability and higher prices at popular addresses if demand keeps climbing at the Q1 pace. Hosts and landlords face a separate set of risks as the government finalizes rental rules.

Entry rules and timing

Many nationalities still enter Morocco visa-free for short stays. Travelers who need authorization can use the official eVisa, launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July 2022, which permits stays of up to 30 days and remains valid for 180 days from issuance.

Processing times for tourist and business applications submitted through the official portal:

• Express: 24 hours
• Standard: 72 hours

Practical steps for anyone heading to a high-demand city this year:

• Lock in lodging earlier than usual, especially for Marrakech and coastal Taghazout.
• Compare monthly rates against nightly rentals; the gap is widening in pressured markets.
• Track the rental-regulation rollout before signing leases longer than 90 days, because compliance rules for hosts are still in flux.
• Budget for higher receipts-driven pricing across hotels and restaurants, where the 24% revenue jump suggests operators have room to raise rates.

Read our full Morocco guide for the complete picture and check our latest visa updates for changes affecting other destinations.