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Rabat – Morocco, already the leading tourist destination in Africa, is embarking on a $4 billion effort to boost its hotel capacity by 20% before it co-hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
The initiative aims to add 25,000 new rooms, a scale and speed that Imad Barrakad, head of the Moroccan tourism development agency SMIT, described as unprecedented in the country’s history.
Most of the 700 planned projects across Morocco’s major cities will receive funding from local investors, while international hotel brands will operate at least 15% of the new properties, Barrakad said in an emailed statement to Bloomberg.
Morocco welcomed almost 20 million visitors in 2025, earning approximately $14.8 billion in tourism revenue.
The country’s historic cities, including Marrakesh, Fez, and Tangier, continue to draw travelers, and the upcoming FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal in 2030 promises another surge in international arrivals.
Morocco has already invested heavily in upgrading its infrastructure to support this growth.
The ongoing US-Israel-Iran war in the Middle East, now in its fourth week, has had no direct impact on Morocco’s tourism development, though some flights from Gulf destinations such as Dubai and Doha have been disrupted.
These routes bring hundreds of thousands of visitors from the Gulf and Asia, but Europe and North America accounted for 85% of Morocco’s tourists last year.
Tourism supports roughly 900,000 jobs and contributes 9% to Morocco’s GDP. Rising energy costs present challenges, but tourism and fertilizer exports have historically helped the economy absorb shocks.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects the Moroccan economy to expand by 4.4% this year, slightly below 2025’s 4.9% growth.
Barrakad, in his statement to Bloomberg, pointed to a shift in strategy, moving away from a focus on visitor numbers toward a model that values quality and long-term impact.
“Morocco is concentrating on attracting the right investors for the right projects, guided by a vision that will endure over time,” he said.
Future plans
Morocco has steadily positioned itself as a hub for international sports and tourism, with the 2030 FIFA World Cup serving as a catalyst for large-scale investments.
The country has committed to upgrading stadiums, transport networks, and urban infrastructure to accommodate the expected influx of global visitors. These projects aim to support the tournament and leave a lasting impact on Morocco’s cities.
The upcoming visit of the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Nicolas Forissier, proves international interest in Morocco’s sports-related economic opportunities.
Reports indicate that Forissier’s trip will focus on football, with meetings planned between Fouzi Lekjaa, President of Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF), and Philippe Diallo, head of the French Football Federation.
While the Elysee has not confirmed the visit, the agenda shows how Morocco’s preparations for the World Cup are drawing attention from major European partners.
French companies and investors are likely to explore partnerships in stadium management, hospitality, and transport infrastructure, following Morocco’s push to combine private investment with strategic public planning.
Morocco’s infrastructure drive also includes improvements to road and rail networks, airport expansions, and enhanced public services in cities that will host matches.
