"The ministry has developed an integrated and participatory plan to combat the repercussions of the novel coronavirus, to revive the sector and promote the positioning of the Kingdom in the post-Covid-19 world, taking into account the changing needs and expectations of the consumer and the quality of the national offer," stressed Fettah in response to a central question at the House of Representatives on "the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourism, handicrafts, air transport and social economy sectors".

 This plan, she explained, focuses on the preservation of employment, skills and capacities of professionals in the sector, the promotion of its take-off, with particular emphasis on domestic tourism in a first phase and the establishment of a quality offer that meets the needs of tourists.

 In this sense, the minister said that domestic tourism is one of the priorities of her department, as a strategic locomotive to revitalize the sector, through the revision of the offer and its adaptation to the demand of local tourists, the launch of an intense promotional campaign to restore confidence, in addition to the promotion of the local product.

 In addition, Fettah said that tourism sector indicators have seen a sharp decline in the first four months of 2020, as the number of tourists fell by 45% compared to the same period last year, while the number of overnight stays fell by about 43%.

 Tourism receipts decreased by 15% in the first four months of the year.

 Regarding proactive measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the minister stressed that Morocco's approach in this regard was praised by the international community in that it prioritizes the safety of Moroccan citizens and foreigners, adding that Morocco has undertaken other important measures to combat the socio-economic repercussions of the pandemic.

"The sector has benefited from the measures taken by the Kingdom, since nearly 70 per cent of employees in the sector registered with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) have received monthly allowances," she said, adding that workers in the informal sector and enterprises working in the same sector have, for their part, benefited from other support measures.

 At the legislative level, the ministry intervened to prevent tourism business failures and guarantee consumer rights through Bill 30-20 enacting special provisions for travel contracts, tourist stays and passenger air transport contracts.