Morocco wants tourists to go cashless with new digital payment push 🇲🇦 ✈️

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Morocco is taking a new step toward modernizing its tourism industry. The Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy has signed a partnership agreement with Attijariwafa Bank and Visa as part of the “Stay Cashless” program.

The agreement, signed in Rabat on February 18, aims to accelerate the adoption of digital payments across the country’s tourism sector.

A modernization push for Moroccan tourism 🇲🇦

Very small and medium-sized tourism businesses (TPMEs) will soon benefit from stronger payment infrastructure when dealing with international visitors. By adopting digital payment technologies, tourists will also gain greater transparency and traceability for their transactions.

Until now, financial transactions in much of the tourism sector have relied heavily on physical cash.

By promoting electronic payments, Morocco is aligning itself with global standards in the tourism industry. Currency exchange processes could also become smoother, which may increase confidence among investors operating in the sector, including hotels, restaurants, and travel booking services.

“Most tourists prefer electronic payments. It is therefore essential that Morocco promotes this approach,” said Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Morocco’s minister of tourism. According to the minister, the country’s tourism industry is experiencing strong growth thanks to a long-term national strategy led by King Mohammed VI.

Growth in visitors is driving the shift 📈

Another factor behind the program is the rapid rise in tourism. Morocco recorded 20 million visitors in 2025, generating roughly 138 billion dirhams in tourism revenue.

“To maintain this momentum, the digitalization of payments must continue to expand,” the minister added.

First steps of implementation 📊

At launch, around 1,000 tourism operators across Morocco will gain access to the new digital payment technologies. The initiative is part of Morocco’s broader national digital transformation plan for 2023–2026, which aims to accelerate digital adoption across multiple sectors.

According to Hamid Bentahar, president of Morocco’s National Confederation of Tourism, the program will help strengthen the competitiveness of tourism businesses while supporting their digital transformation.

A strategy aligned with the 2030 World Cup  🗓️

The initiative is also tied to Morocco’s broader tourism ambitions ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Portugal and Spain.

Beyond improving the tourist experience, the program seeks to introduce innovative payment solutions while helping tourism-focused SMEs modernize their operations and distribution channels.

Morocco aims to position itself as a top global tourist destination by 2030, with a goal of welcoming 26 million visitors annually. Digital payments could play a key role in making travel across the country easier, safer, and more seamless for international tourists.

Would this initiative to digitize payments in Morocco make you want to visit the country as a tourist ? Let us know in the comments