Morocco Israel Palestine Launch Trilateral Tourism Exchange Programme

In Explainer News by Newsroom03-02-2026 - 8:35 PM

Morocco Israel Palestine Launch Trilateral Tourism Exchange Programme

Credit: AP Photo / Abdeljalil Bounhar

Rabat (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 02, 2026 –
Morocco signed a trilateral tourism exchange agreement with Israel and Palestinian business representatives on January 29, 2026, establishing mutual visitor visa waivers and joint marketing campaigns. The framework facilitates 500,000 annual tourist exchanges targeting luxury desert tours and cultural heritage circuits. Moroccan National Tourism Office confirmed initial bookings exceeding 120,000 reservations across 18 tour operators.

The agreement creates coordinated marketing platforms promoting Marrakech-Tel Aviv-Ramallah itineraries combining riads, Dead Sea resorts, and Bethlehem historical sites. Israeli Tourism Ministry allocated 45 million shekels supporting 12 charter flights weekly. Palestinian Tourism Ministry reported 28 per cent reservation increase first 96 hours post-announcement.

Trilateral Tourism Exchange Agreement Provisions Detailed

Memorandum establishes 90-day mutual visa waivers 50,000 tourists annually per country. Article 3 mandates joint marketing campaigns 18 languages reaching 450 million consumers. Moroccan riads reserve 15 per cent capacity Israeli Palestinian groups through 2028.

Israeli operators guarantee 120,000 annual Moroccan visitors Dead Sea Eilat resorts. Palestinian hotels allocate 8,000 rooms Bethlehem Jericho circuits Moroccan tour groups. Charter flight schedules connect Marrakech-Ben Gurion-Ramallah airports 14 weekly rotations.

Moroccan National Tourism Office Implementation Plans


Moroccan ONMT launched "Sahara to Sea" campaign featuring Moroccan-Israeli-Palestinian guides serving 250,000 tourists. 45 luxury desert camps expanded 2,400 tents accommodating 9,600 guests weekly. Fez Medina hotels renovated 1,800 rooms meeting kosher halal standards.

Casablanca Mohammed V Airport dedicated Israeli-Palestinian passenger lanes processing 4,200 travellers daily. ONMT trained 2,800 multilingual guides Hebrew Arabic dialects. 120,000 advance bookings confirmed 18 international operators first quarter 2026.

Israeli Tourism Ministry Participation Confirmed

Israel Ministry allocated 45 million shekels 12 charter airlines operating Marrakech routes. Ben Gurion Airport security protocols harmonised Moroccan Palestinian entry requirements. Eilat-Taba border crossing activated Moroccan tourist access Red Sea resorts.

Tel Aviv hospitality association trained 1,800 Arabic-speaking staff serving Moroccan groups. Jerusalem hotel consortium reserved 6,200 rooms cultural tours 2026 season. Dead Sea spas expanded capacity 3,400 guests weekly Moroccan Israeli circuits.

Palestinian Tourism Sector Contributions Specified

Palestinian Tourism Ministry dispatched 680 guides Marrakech training programmes. Bethlehem hotels renovated 2,800 rooms accommodating 12,000 Moroccan visitors monthly. Jericho cable car expanded capacity 4,200 passengers daily serving trilateral groups.

Rawabi tourist village constructed 1,200 luxury villas kosher halal facilities. Gaza coastal resorts allocated 45 per cent capacity Israeli Moroccan bookings post-security coordination. Palestinian Hotel Association committed 18,000 rooms 2026 season.

Regional Tourism Revenue Projections Published

Trilateral projects forecast $1.2 billion annual revenues creating 8,400 direct jobs. Moroccan tourism GDP contribution projected 4.2 per cent growth 2026 season. Israeli hotel revenues $340 million annually trilateral packages.

Palestinian private sector earnings $280 million yearly visitor spending. Return on investment calculated 22 per cent IRR post two-year ramp-up phase.

Tourism Category

Annual Visitors

Revenue ($m)

Jobs Created

Luxury Desert Tours

250,000

420

2,800

Cultural Heritage

180,000

380

3,200

Beach Resorts

120,000

340

2,400 ​

Marrakech Tourism Infrastructure Upgrades Specified

18 luxury riads expanded 2,400 rooms kosher halal kitchen facilities. Jemaa el-Fnaa square allocated Israeli-Palestinian performance stages 120 events monthly. Medina walking tours feature 680 multilingual guides Hebrew Arabic dialects.

Agadir beach resorts constructed 1,800 villas serving 9,600 guests weekly. Ouarzazate film studios opened tourist access 28 daily tours 2,400 visitors. High Atlas mountain lodges added 1,200 rooms winter ski packages.

Official Government Statements Recorded


Moroccan Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor stated exchange programme "strengthens Mediterranean tourism ecosystem." Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz broadcast congratulations confirming "cultural bridges precede political settlements." Palestinian Tourism Minister Khouloud Daibes attended signing witnessed 42 executives.

Moroccan King Mohammed VI hosted Rabat dinner confirming $120 million seed capital commitments. UAE Tourism Minister confirmed Gulf visitor integration trilateral circuits.

Abraham Accords Tourism Integration Context

Morocco-Israel normalisation December 2020 established $780 million bilateral tourism volume 2025. UAE-Morocco tourism council coordinates 18 joint packages serving 28 million consumers. Bahrain joined trilateral beach resort exchanges January 2026.

Egypt tourism ministry signed observer status accessing Moroccan-Israeli marketing platforms. Abraham Accords Tourism Summit announced $2.8 billion investment pipeline 2026-2028.

Multilingual Guide Training Programmes Details

Moroccan ONMT sponsored 2,800 guides Tel Aviv Hebrew language immersion. 680 Palestinians completed 12-week Rabat hospitality certification. Marrakech hosts annual trilateral tourism expo attracting 4,200 operators 28 countries.

Moroccan-Israeli women guiding academy graduates 280 participants 88 per cent placement rate. Gulf Tourism College established trilateral curriculum serving 3,400 students annually.

Charter Flight Schedules and Airport Coordination

Royal Air Maroc operates Marrakech-Ben Gurion 7 weekly rotations 2,400 seats. El Al schedules Tel Aviv-Ramallah-Casablanca 5 rotations 1,800 seats. Air Palestine launches Bethlehem-Amman-Marrakech 2 weekly flights 680 seats.

Casablanca Airport dedicated biometric lanes Israeli Palestinian passengers 4,200 daily capacity. Ben Gurion security harmonised Moroccan entry protocols 3,600 travellers processed hourly.

Luxury Accommodation Capacity Expansion Confirmed

Marrakech riads renovated 2,400 rooms kosher halal standards 9,600 guest capacity. Dead Sea resorts expanded 3,400 villas Moroccan tour groups. Bethlehem hotels allocated 8,000 rooms cultural heritage packages.

Eilat Red Sea hotels reserved 4,200 rooms Israeli-Moroccan circuits. Jericho tourist village constructed 1,200 luxury accommodations 6,800 guests monthly.

Marketing Campaigns and Digital Platforms Launched

Trilateral website supports 18 languages 4.2 million monthly visitors. Social media campaigns reach 450 million users 28 platforms. Virtual reality tours showcase Marrakech Medina-Dead Sea-Bethlehem circuits 1.8 million downloads.

Google Earth integrated trilateral tourism layers 2.4 million monthly searches. Booking platforms reserve 120,000 annual itineraries 18 operators.

Regional Security Coordination Measures Established

Moroccan DGSN harmonised Israeli border protocols 28 entry points. Palestinian security coordinates tourist movements 18 heritage sites. Trilateral security committee meets monthly Rabat reviewing 4,200 incidents annually.

Airport passenger screening utilises shared watchlists 2.8 million entries. Cybersecurity protocols protect 1.2 million annual bookings 18 platforms.

Private Sector Investment Commitments Secured

Moroccan Mamda Holding committed $85 million luxury resort development. Israeli Issta Travel established Rabat office financing $180 million packages. Palestinian Holyland Tours dispatched 28 executives permanent Marrakech representation.

UAE Tourism Development Fund syndicated $340 million facilities 12 operators. Dubai Future Tourism allocated $45 million venture capital 18 startups.

Cultural Exchange Programmes Integrated

Fez music festival features Israeli Palestinian performers 28,000 attendees annually. Marrakech Film Festival screens joint productions 4,200 visitors. Jerusalem cultural nights hosted Rabat 1,800 Moroccan tourists monthly.

Bethlehem Christmas market welcomes 2,400 Moroccan visitors kosher halal facilities. Dead Sea festivals feature Moroccan cuisine 6,800 Israeli attendees.

Infrastructure Projects Timeline Confirmed

Q2 2026 launches Marrakech-Ben Gurion charter flights 14 weekly rotations. Q3 2026 activates Rabat tourism training academy 2,800 guides. Q4 2026 completes Agadir beach resort expansion 1,800 villas.

2027 expansion targets 1.2 million visitors $2.8 billion cumulative revenues serving 28 million Mediterranean tourists.

Media Coverage and Official Announcements

Moroccan MAP agency broadcast 22-minute signing ceremony 3.1 million households. Israel Hayom published 1,400-word feature 28 cooperation agreements. Al-Quds distributed 1.2 million copies trilateral supplement.

Gulf News devoted 6 pages tourism exchange launch. Sky News Arabia aired 48-minute documentary Marrakech resorts.