ONMT-GNV: Morocco Targets the Italian Market
The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) aims to strengthen its presence in the Italian market by placing greater emphasis on maritime transport. In Rabat, the Office and the shipping company GNV have signed a partnership that will last for the next three years, during the annual GNV convention held in Marrakech from October 2 to 5.
Targeting 350,000 Italian Passengers
The Italian market represents significant potential for Morocco as a tourist destination. By 2025, approximately 1.15 million Italian tourists are expected to visit the Kingdom, with 15% arriving by sea.
Through this new agreement, ONMT and GNV aim to increase the number of passengers departing from Italy to 350,000. This goal is based on enhanced promotion of Morocco to Italian travelers and strengthening maritime connections between the two countries.
A Multi-Channel Promotion Campaign
The partnership includes the launch of a joint communication campaign targeting the Italian market. The campaign will utilize various platforms including radio, television, influencers, and GNV’s travel agency network.
Street marketing operations will complement this visibility strategy. The Moroccan destination will be prominently featured on the company’s ships through digital screens, the GNV APP Morocco application, and GNV’s onboard radio.
Focusing on Road Trips and Ecotourism
ONMT also aims to diversify the types of Italian visitors attracted to Morocco. The Office is particularly targeting fans of road trips, 4×4 excursions, and ecotourism.
The maritime link offers a unique advantage for these travelers, allowing them to reach the Kingdom with their own vehicles. This way, they can organize itinerant circuits and explore multiple Moroccan destinations and regions during a single trip.
This approach enables ONMT to promote a more mobile tourism experience, focused on territorial exploration and the discovery of various regions in Morocco.
A Partnership Also Tied to Operation Marhaba
The collaboration between ONMT and GNV will also support travel related to Operation Marhaba, particularly given the size of the Moroccan community in Italy.
The development of maritime routes thus serves a dual purpose: facilitating mobility between Italy and Morocco while simultaneously bolstering tourist traffic from this market.
GNV Aurora Enhances Moroccan Connections
This new agreement continues the ongoing exchanges between ONMT and GNV, particularly regarding the GNV Aurora, a ship dedicated to the Moroccan destination that was officially launched on June 1 of this year.
With this three-year commitment, both partners aim to establish long-term cooperation and enhance Morocco’s visibility among Italian travelers. For ONMT, the challenge is to solidify an already significant market while further developing the role of maritime transport in boosting the Kingdom’s tourist appeal.
