Morocco Approves Emergency Plan to Back Tourism Sector

The Moroccan government has approved an emergency plan amounting to 2 billion dirhams (MAD) to support the tourism sector.

After more than 22 months of health crisis, this plan will save the sector-related businesses, avoid the massive destruction of jobs and prepare for the revival of the sector, says a release issued by the Ministry of Tourism.

Presented by the Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, during a meeting held last Friday, chaired by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, in the presence of the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah Alaoui, and the Minister Delegate for the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, this emergency plan includes five measures.

These measures include the extension of the payment of the fixed compensation of 2,000 MAD during the first quarter of 2022, for all employees of the tourism sector, tourist transporters and classified restaurants, as well as the postponement of charges due to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) for 6 months for these employees.

In addition, this plan provides for the establishment of a moratorium on bank maturities for a period of up to 1 year, for hoteliers and tourist carriers. Interim interest will be paid by the State for a period equivalent to the months of non-activity in 2021, as well as the first quarter of 2022.

It will also involve the assumption by the State of the professional tax due by hoteliers in 2020 and 2021, and the granting of a State subsidy to the hotel sector, for a total amount of 1 billion MAD. The objective of this aid is to support the investment effort (maintenance, renovation, training, etc.) of hotels wishing to prepare for a rapid restart of activity as soon as the borders reopen.

These measures, the release points out, are the result of several preliminary meetings held between Ms. Ammor and the National Confederation of Tourism (CNT), as well as consultations between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Professional Grouping of Moroccan Banks (GPBM).

Tourism, a key sector for the Moroccan economy, has been deeply impacted by the negative consequences of the crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the world, the statement concludes.

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