The grand courtyard of Bahia Palace in Marrakech,. Photo By Clive Kim From Pexels
Morocco has added a new milestone to its global tourism journey after winning “Destination of the Year” at the 2025 Travel Awards held on Friday in Brussels. The gala took place at Skyhall, Brussels Airport, and brought together over 1,000 travel professionals.
A prestigious recognition at a major industry gala
The Travel Awards, organized by TRAVelMedia Belux (publisher of TravMagazine BeLux and Travel360), named 36 winners this year, with Morocco among the headline honorees. The prize reflects the growing international appetite for Morocco’s culture, diverse landscapes, and world-class hospitality.
Morocco’s global climb in tourism rankings
This accolade arrives as Morocco strengthens its position on the world tourism stage: the country recently secured 13th place worldwide in the latest UN tourism ranking, a milestone we covered in detail. Read more about Morocco’s UN ranking and what it means for travel here: Morocco ranks 13th in UN Tourism ranking.
Record arrivals and ambitious targets
Tourism figures tell a story of momentum. Morocco recorded 17.4 million tourists in 2024, and by October 2025 arrivals had already reached 16.6 million, a 14% increase year-on-year for the same period. Analysts now expect at least 18 million visitors by the end of 2025, with many observers forecasting the country could hit 20 million in the near future.
AFCON 2025 to drive a winter tourism surge
One immediate growth driver is Morocco’s role as host of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), scheduled from December 21 to January 18. The tournament is already spurring bookings from across Africa and Europe and is expected to deliver a meaningful bump in winter arrivals.
Recognition across lists and travel publications
Beyond awards nights, Morocco’s cities are gaining praise across global outlets. The country’s travel appeal was recently reinforced in lists highlighting destinations to watch, including features projecting Morocco among the Top 10 Destinations for 2026. Explore related coverage here: Morocco among the Top 10 Destinations for 2026.
Rabat and Morocco’s rising city profile
Major Moroccan cities are also earning higher international visibility. Rabat, for example, was ranked among National Geographic’s Best of the World picks — a boost for cultural tourism and city breaks. Read more on Rabat’s acclaim here: Rabat ranks 5th on NatGeo’s Best of the World 2026 list.
With awards, rising rankings, and high-profile events on the horizon, Morocco’s tourism story in 2025 is one of momentum and ambition, a destination balancing heritage and modern hospitality as it welcomes the world.
Source: Travel And Tour World
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