Tourism Minister Lahcen Haddad took part, here Tuesday, in the Global Tourism Forum, held in the Spanish capital.
The tourism sector is the second largest contributor to national GDP (12 pc) and the second largest job creator with more than 500,000 jobs, Haddad pointed out at a panel on the "impact of tourism in the development of infrastructure", adding that the sector has created more than 50,000 jobs between 2011 and 2013.
The Minister also underlined the positive impact of tourism on social development, in addition to its stimulatory effect on other sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, transport, health, trade and infrastructure.
Recalling the progress made by the Moroccan tourism industry, Haddad noted that the implementation of the projects of the Moroccan tourist vision has been accompanied by the establishment of large basic infrastructure projects.
Held under the theme "The Impact of Tourism in the Global Economy", the Global Tourism Forum (Spain GTF) brings together officials and experts who discussed the future challenges of the tourism industry and the impact of tourism on national economies.
Lahcen Haddad leads a Moroccan delegation that will participate in the 35th Madrid International Tourism Fair (Fitur 2015) which will be inaugurated Wednesday by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.