Morocco's Hospitality Sector Poised for Growth Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2030
Casablanca is set to host the third annual Morocco Showcase on November 26, an event that promises to be a pivotal gathering for international hotel brands, investors, tourism officials, and local operators. This conference is organized by API Events and aims to explore lucrative investment opportunities within the hospitality, infrastructure, and real estate sectors, particularly as Morocco ramps up its tourism capabilities in anticipation of co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal. The Moroccan Agency for Tourism Engineering (SMIT) will play a key role as the institutional investment partner for this significant event.
Major international hotel groups are already expressing their intentions to expand in Morocco. Notably, the Radisson Hotel Group has ambitious plans to increase its presence from 11 to 30 hotels by 2030, driven by substantial infrastructure investments and the nation’s robust tourism aspirations. "Morocco presents a compelling opportunity for hotel development, bolstered by ongoing investment in infrastructure and a clear vision to enhance its tourism sector," stated Erwan Garnier, Associate Vice President of Development for Africa at Radisson Hotel Group. He further emphasized the importance of identifying suitable brands and operating models tailored to diverse market segments, ranging from urban business centers to popular leisure destinations. As preparations for the FIFA World Cup intensify, there is a unique chance to develop hotels that will offer enduring commercial value.
Investment Landscape and Future Prospects in Moroccan Tourism
The Morocco Showcase is expected to serve as a critical platform for investors, developers, and operators to forge partnerships and advance project initiatives. According to the W Hospitality Group’s report on hotel chain development pipelines in Africa, Morocco ranks second on the continent for hotel development, with 75 hotels and 10,606 rooms currently in the pipeline. Notably, 70% of these projects are slated to open in 2026 and 2027. David Desta, Vice President for Hotels and Hospitality in Africa at JLL, highlighted that a combination of growing visitor demand, enhanced air connectivity, government initiatives in tourism, and the presence of international hotel brands continues to stimulate investor interest in Morocco.
Risma, a hotel owner and operator listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange, has also made significant strides in recent years, completing various transactions since 2025. This includes acquiring a prime plot on Tangier’s Corniche and purchasing CMG, which operates the Radisson Blu Marrakech Carré Eden and its adjacent shopping mall, with these acquisitions valued at $67 million. Moreover, Risma sold the Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche to Pickalbatros for $46 million, further consolidating its market presence. In a strategic move, the company has strengthened its partnership with Accor to renovate and reposition its hotels and develop the Tangier Corniche project.
The Casablanca Stock Exchange has expanded notably, boasting a market capitalization exceeding MAD 1 trillion (approximately $103 billion). The exchange welcomed its 80th listing in December 2025 and initiated a futures market and clearing house in April 2026. Furthermore, Kasada, a pan-African real estate private equity firm supported by the Qatar Investment Authority and Accor, has been appointed by the Mohammed VI Investment Fund to oversee a dedicated Moroccan tourism fund.
In terms of credit ratings, S&P Global affirmed Morocco’s investment-grade BBB- rating with a stable outlook, while Moody’s maintained its Ba1 rating, accompanied by a positive outlook. The Morocco Showcase will delve into hotel performance, the growth of local operators, investments in luxury and eco-tourism, and financing for mixed-use developments. The agenda will also cover logistics related to the Tangier Med corridor, investments in special economic zones, and office and retail yields.
Murray Anderson, the Commercial Director at API Events, expressed enthusiasm about the unprecedented level of global capital commitment from entities such as GCC sovereign wealth funds and development finance institutions into Morocco’s hospitality and infrastructure growth objectives. The event aims to unite key players in this growth narrative, enabling them to explore opportunities that will shape the future of the hospitality and real estate sectors, particularly in the lead-up to and beyond the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The closing plenary will feature presentations from Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, and Rabat, showcasing investment opportunities directly to capital providers. The Morocco Showcase will culminate in an awards gala dinner, celebrating achievements in commercial and residential real estate, hospitality, green development, innovation, and lifetime achievement. Scheduled to take place at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, the conference will feature in-person sessions conducted in both English and French, alongside parallel conference streams and a dedicated deals room.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
