Rabat:The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) has announced a partnership with the Italian shipping company GNV aimed at enhancing tourism between Italy and Morocco.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the newly signed agreement outlines a joint action plan for the next three years. This initiative was formalized in Rabat alongside GNV’s annual convention held in Marrakech from October 2 to 5.

Italy is considered a strategic market for Moroccan tourism, with 1.15 million Italian tourists visiting in 2025, 15% of whom traveled by sea. The partnership aims to increase Italian passengers to Morocco to 350,000 by enhancing destination promotion and developing maritime travel options.

The plan includes a comprehensive marketing strategy targeting the Italian market, utilizing radio, television, influencer marketing, visibility in GNV network travel agencies, and street marketing campaigns. Morocco will also be promoted aboard GNV ships through digital screens, the GNV APP Maroc, and onboard radio.

This collaboration is part of ONMT’s strategic direction emphasizing experiences and the diversity of Morocco’s regions. It particularly appeals to Italian tourists interested in road trips, 4×4 adventures, and ecotourism, providing direct maritime access to Morocco with personal vehicles for versatile exploration.

Additionally, the partnership supports Operation Marhaba, which serves millions of Moroccan expatriates, notably those residing in Italy. The ONMT-GNV partnership builds on discussions surrounding the GNV Aurora, a vessel dedicated to the Morocco route, and sets the framework for a three-year cooperation.

GNV, part of the MSC Group, is a leading player in passenger and vehicle transport in the Mediterranean, with a network connecting multiple destinations from Italy, including Morocco.