Morocco plans to invest $4 billion to expand its hotel capacity by 20% ahead of the 2030 World Cup, adding 25,000 rooms, according to Bloomberg. The move aims to strengthen the kingdom’s position as Africa’s leading tourism destination.
Imad Barrakad, head of the Moroccan tourism development agency SMIT, called the expansion “one of the most significant ever undertaken in the kingdom, both in terms of scale and pace.”
Of the 700 planned projects across Morocco’s major cities, roughly three-quarters will be funded by local investors, while international hotel brands are expected to manage at least 15% of the new capacity.
On the impact of the Middle East conflict, Barrakad said Morocco’s distance from the Persian Gulf has insulated its tourism investments. However, he noted the conflict could indirectly raise construction and operating costs, slow investment, or prompt investors to consider alternative destinations.
The tourism sector employs about 900,000 people and contributes roughly 9% of Morocco’s GDP. Barrakad said the country is shifting from a “volume-based approach to one of quality and impact,” prioritizing investors and projects with long-term vision over broad appeal.
Morocco’s structured tourism roadmap and competitive advantages have made it a key destination for investment. The kingdom welcomed nearly 20 million visitors in 2025, surpassing its target of 17.5 million, while travel revenues reached MAD 138 billion—MAD 18 billion above the 2026 target.
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