Morocco to earn $130 million from the FIFA Club World Cup

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Fez- Since Morocco was awarded the honor to host two editions of the FIFA Club World CUP, which will take place from 11to 21 December, many Moroccans have been wondering whether or not their country will benefit from this international event.

While some Moroccans are of the opinion that such global events can serve as a spring board for Morocco to market itself both as a stable country unique in a region wrecked by uprising and turmoil, and as a premium tourism destination, others have pointed out that the country is simply squandering its meager resources on an event that ultimately will not provide any significant benefit to Morocco.

Yet on the eve of the kickoff of the FIFA Club World Club, which will take place in the Moroccan cities of Agadir and Marrakech, the Moroccan daily Al Akhbar in its issue of Tuesday 10 December revealed that the tournament will generate MAD 1 billion (about $130 million) in revenue, and bring in more than [delete a] 100,000 fans, including a large number of foreigners.

According to the same source, contrary to what many believe, the Moroccan government has actually spent only about MAD 80 million (about $10 million) on the organization of this prestigious event, while the bulk of the investment, $620 million (about $ 70 million), has been provided by international companies present in the country.

“One of the first sectors to profit from the organization of the World Cup will be the tourism sector, as foreign fans who travel to Marrakech and Agadir will be the best ambassadors for promoting Morocco as a tourism destination,” when they return to their countries, the same source added.