Moroccan Travelers Skip Schengen for Easier Visa Destinations
For many Moroccans, choosing a holiday destination still largely depends on one simple criterion: is a visa required or not? Faced with Schengen constraints, several countries are gaining ground.
Easily accessible destinations are increasingly attracting Moroccan travelers. According to Turespaña’s 2025 report on the Moroccan tourism market, visa policy remains a determining factor in the choice of foreign travel.
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The report indicates that Moroccans can travel without a visa to 39 countries. They can also obtain a visa on arrival in 28 others, an electronic authorization for South Korea and Kenya, and an e-visa for 40 countries. Conversely, a visa remains mandatory for 120 countries, including the United States and European Union countries.
In this context, visa-free or easier-access destinations are gaining in attractiveness. Saudi Arabia tops the list of destinations chosen by Moroccans among countries requiring no prior visa, followed by Turkey. According to data cited by Turespaña, approximately 330,000 Moroccans traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2023, and 241,000 to Turkey.
Saudi Arabia owes much of its appeal to religious tourism. The report highlights the importance of Umrah-related travel, which attracts approximately 150,000 Moroccans annually. Religious tourism thus represents a significant share of Moroccans’ international travel.
Turkey, meanwhile, has established itself as a very popular holiday destination. Istanbul attracts visitors for urban tourism, shopping, culture and history. The coastal areas of Antalya and Bodrum also appeal to travelers seeking sun and beaches. The report notes that Turkey has managed to retain a Moroccan clientele sensitive to cultural tourism, shopping and halal offerings.
Turkey also plays a role as a platform to other countries. From Istanbul, Moroccan travelers can reach several Central Asian destinations thanks to visa facilitation, often in the form of e-visas or visas on arrival, and competitive airfares.
Other Mediterranean countries also attract Moroccans. Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria are among the most visited destinations during international travel. Tunisia and Egypt in particular maintain significant shares in Moroccan travel agency sales.
Further afield, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are also well-positioned in the offers marketed by travel agencies. These destinations are appreciated for their more affordable prices, hotel offerings, shopping and wellness stays.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are also gaining ground. Trips to Dubai are particularly linked to shopping, especially during commercial festival periods, with stays often sold by agencies in all-inclusive flight packages.
Even in Europe, alternatives to Schengen are beginning to emerge. The report notably cites Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina, two destinations that are neither part of the European Union nor the Schengen area, with more flexible visa policies. Their offerings combine beaches, city stays, heritage, gastronomy and more affordable prices.
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These trends show that Moroccan travelers do not choose a destination solely for its beaches or hotels. Administrative accessibility, price, security, cultural affinity and ease of transport are increasingly weighing on the final decision.
