As Morocco gears up to co-host the prestigious FIFA World Cup in 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal, the nation is making significant strides in its hospitality sector. Currently, the kingdom is developing 75 new hotels, translating to over 10,600 additional rooms, with an ambitious goal of adding another 60,000 beds by the year 2030. This growth trajectory is set to be showcased at the upcoming Morocco Showcase in Casablanca on November 26, where investors, international brands, and local operators will converge to discuss opportunities and innovations in the sector.
Morocco: The Second Fastest Growing Hotel Market in Africa
According to the latest report from W Hospitality Group, Morocco ranks as the **second largest hotel market in Africa**, trailing only Egypt. The kingdom's portfolio of hotel projects currently boasts **75 hotels and 10,606 rooms**, with approximately 70% expected to commence operations by 2026 and 2027. The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism is proactively targeting an increase of 60,000 beds ahead of the World Cup, focusing development efforts primarily in host cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Fez, and Agadir.The Morocco Showcase: A Capital Investment Hub on November 26
The third edition of the **Morocco Showcase**, organized by API Events in partnership with the Moroccan Society of Tourism Engineering (SMIT), will take place at the Marriott hotel in Casablanca on November 26. This bilingual event will feature sessions that cover various topics including hotel performance, luxury offerings, ecotourism, and financing mixed-use projects, alongside dedicated spaces for deal-making negotiations. Key cities such as Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, and Rabat will present their investment opportunities during the plenary session. Murray Anderson, the commercial director of API Events, has highlighted an unprecedented commitment from international capital, particularly from Gulf sovereign wealth funds and development finance institutions.International hotel groups are making bold announcements regarding their expansion plans. The **Radisson Hotel Group** aims to increase its portfolio from 11 to 30 hotels in Morocco by 2030. According to Erwan Garnier, the vice president of development in Africa, the country presents a robust opportunity, driven by significant investments in infrastructure. Local players are also taking action; Risma, a long-standing partner of Accor, has acquired the company that owns the Radisson Blu Marrakech Carré Eden, purchased land along the Tangier coastline, and sold the Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche. Meanwhile, the Mohammed VI Investment Fund has selected Kasada to manage a dedicated tourism fund.
The luxury segment is not lagging behind, as **Virgin Limited Edition**, the hotel collection from Virgin, is preparing to open its second Moroccan property after Kasbah Tamadot. This new hotel will feature 37 suites set on a private agricultural estate spanning ten hectares, located approximately 25 minutes from Marrakech. The project includes three restaurants, a chef's table, a speakeasy-style bar stocked with locally grown produce, a traditional hammam, a 40-meter swimming pool, and tennis and padel courts, with the first phase anticipated to open in early 2027 and full operations expected by 2028.
With nearly 20 million visitors projected for 2025, reflecting a 14% increase, Morocco is poised to cater to a robust demand. David Desta, vice president of hospitality for Africa at JLL, emphasizes the combined influence of tourist demand, improved air connectivity, public initiatives, and the arrival of international brands. For tour operators and agencies, this growth signals a broader and more diverse range of offerings in the upcoming seasons, from city breaks in Casablanca or Rabat to luxurious retreats in the enchanting hinterlands of Marrakech.
As reported by mistertravel.news.
