In a response to rumors regarding the Moroccan diaspora’s boycott of vacations in Morocco this year, a spokesperson stated that the numbers indicate an increase in the community’s members rather than a decline.
Omar Moussa Abdullah, responsible for projects and overseeing the “Marhaba” operation at the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, reported that as of August 4, 2,789,197 individuals from the Moroccan diaspora had entered the country, marking a 10.37% increase compared to 2024.
During an appearance on the “Abour” program broadcast on Radio Tangier Mediterranean, Abdullah confirmed that since the launch of the “Marhaba” operation on June 10 until August 4, 838,360 vehicles had entered the country, reflecting a 3.74% increase.
He emphasized that the recorded figures demonstrate a rise in the number of Moroccans returning to the country through various border crossings this summer, countering circulating rumors that lack any evidence. He added that “Operation Marhaba 2025 is a significant success and is proceeding smoothly on all levels.”
He mentioned that the Tangier Mediterranean Port alone welcomed 555,753 individuals and 175,808 vehicles, accounting for 35.87% of the total returning Moroccans via ports and land crossings. Meanwhile, Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca topped aerial entries, receiving 320,395 individuals, or 25% of Moroccans arriving through airports.
Regarding services provided by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, Abdullah noted that teams at various crossing points and rest areas delivered a total of 45,465 social, medical, and administrative services, including 2,858 medical services, with urgent transport for approximately 50 cases to hospitals and assistance for over 800 travelers whose vehicles had broken down.
As for the departure phase, he indicated that the foundation’s teams, along with other partners involved in Operation Marhaba 2025, are committed to ensuring this phase proceeds smoothly in terms of organization and support.
Jaafar Amiar, the director of the Tangier Mediterranean Port for travelers, affirmed that this facility serves as “the primary gateway for members of the Moroccan diaspora returning to the homeland,” highlighting that the number of travelers and vehicles arriving at the port during Operation Marhaba 2025 has grown by 6% and 4%, respectively.
He noted that port authorities, in collaboration with other stakeholders, have implemented several practical measures to ensure smooth traffic flow through Tangier Mediterranean Port and to reduce processing times for border and customs procedures, thanks to the ongoing mobilization of personnel from the General Directorate of National Security, the Customs and Indirect Tax Administration, and local authorities.
Additionally, it was announced that a new requirement for passengers to have a specific date and time ticket (a suspended ticket) to access the port would be active from August 1 to 31. This measure aims to regulate passenger flow and ensure smooth transit at Tangier Mediterranean Port, taking into account the ships’ capacity.
In this context, passengers, particularly the Moroccan diaspora residing abroad, were urged to confirm their travel times at the Tangier Mediterranean rest areas (entrance to the motorway in Tangier) or at the Plaza of Alcazar Chica, or through maritime companies’ apps and websites and customer service numbers before arriving at the port, and to plan their trips outside peak times, especially on Saturdays, Sundays, and the last week of August.
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