The Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) and Canadian company Air Transat signed, on October 25, a strategic partnership agreement to launch a Montreal-Marrakech air route in June 2024.
On the sidelines of the agreement signed at Air Transat headquarters, the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT) organized a side event for Canadian travel agents (TAs), tour operators (TOs), and the media.
On this occasion, ONMT Managing Director, Adel El Fakir, was accompanied by the President of the National Tourism Confederation (CNT), Hamid Bentahar, the President of the National Federation of the Hotel Industry (FNIH), Lahcen Zelmat, and the President of the National Federation of Tourist Restaurateurs (FNRT), Imane Rmili.
According to a press release by ONMT, “Air Transat will become the first airline in North America to offer direct flights to Marrakech twice a week in summer, on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June to October, and once a week in winter, on Saturdays from November to April.”
ONMT also affirmed that this new route “will enhance the existing air service to Morocco, namely the historic Casablanca-Montreal route operated by Royal Air Maroc (RAM), a strategic route for the Oneworld alliance airline.”
The same source added that the Montreal-Marrakech route will be the first point-to-point connection to Marrakech from North America outside the Casablanca hub, adding that “it will also open up a wide range of prospects for travelers,” with access to the seaside resorts of Essaouira, Taghazout, and Agadir, as well as to mountain and ecotourism destinations (Azilal, Beni Mellal…), the South (Ouarzazate, Zagora, and Merzouga), and even the city break and cultural destinations of the North (Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, and Meknes).
Marrakech accounts for 24% of Canadian tourist arrivals in Morocco, a figure that could reach up to 40% once the city becomes the main departure city for tours or combined trips.
Over the past 10 years, seat capacity from Canada to Morocco has increased by 87%, from 87,000 to 164,000 seats per year. From January to September 2023, total arrivals amounted to 82,590, with an expected capacity increase of 23% for next winter.
In 2024, ONMT will establish a representative office in Montreal to maximize the potential of this promising market. This on-site presence, close to Canadian travel providers and airlines, will reinforce ONMT’s marketing strategy, in line with the implementation of its “Light in Action” plan.
