Morocco launches “Stay Cashless” to end tourist payment woes after record 20M visitors

MOROCCO – Morocco’s Ministry of Tourism, Attijariwafa Bank, and Visa have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch “Stay Cashless,” a national program aimed at accelerating digital payment adoption across the tourism sector.

The initiative, formalized on February 18 in Rabat, seeks to simplify payment experiences for tourists through reduced international commissions, pay-by-link, tap-on-phone, and dynamic currency conversion tools.

Record Tourism Demands Modern Payment Infrastructure

The program arrives on the heels of an extraordinary year for Moroccan tourism.

The kingdom welcomed a record-breaking 20 million visitors in 2025, generating MAD 138 billion ($13.8 billion) in travel receipts, already surpassing targets set for 2026.

Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor emphasized the urgency: “Moving toward cashless at scale is no longer an option.“

Yet the country’s payment infrastructure remains stubbornly out of step.

Bank Al-Maghrib data reveals that over 60% of card operations in 2024 were ATM withdrawals, while currency in circulation reached MAD 444.3 billion ($44.4 billion USD), roughly 26% of GDP.

Only 94,387 POS terminals exist nationwide, concentrated in major cities, with tourist destinations like Agadir and Fez lagging behind.

Targeting Tourism SMEs with Tailored Solutions

The program includes an operational convention targeting small and medium tourism businesses directly.

CNT president Hamid Bentahar explained it combines new solutions with training to help operators “improve their services and offer a smoother experience to visitors.”

Attijariwafa Bank CEO Mohamed El Kettani framed the initiative as part of a broader commitment to accompany key sectors with innovative payment solutions aligned with international standards.

Mega-Events Demand Frictionless Payments

The initiative comes as Morocco prepares for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and the African Cup of Nations, events expected to bring large volumes of international visitors accustomed to cashless payment environments.

Visa’s Leila Serhan positioned the partnership as “a growth engine that uses data and innovation to digitize the entire tourism value chain.“

Globally, the direction is unambiguous. Europe caps cash payments, Nordic countries see minimal cash usage, and over 90% of transactions in the UAE are contactless.

Morocco has taken steps to reform its payment sector, including capping interchange fees and opening the acquiring market to new players.

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