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Rabat – Accor is deepening its foothold in Morocco through an expanded collaboration with Risma, the country’s leading hotel operator, managing 24 properties across 11 cities. The partnership, described as strategic for Accor, aims to accelerate growth in a market where the French hospitality giant has been active for over three decades.
Accor currently operates 43 hotels in Morocco under a portfolio of ten brands, totaling more than 6,600 rooms. Announcements made on April 3 in Casablanca, during the visit of Accor CEO Sébastien Bazin, mark a new phase in the long-standing alliance.
Central to this strategy is the planned opening of a 175-room Sofitel in Tangier by 2029, set on the city’s new corniche overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The project is designed to strengthen Tangier’s luxury hotel offerings and reinforce Morocco’s positioning as a high-end travel destination.
Alongside new developments, Accor and Risma are launching a comprehensive renovation and repositioning program for their existing properties. The initiative aims to modernize infrastructure, refine hotel segmentation, and enhance competitiveness. A significant component is the establishment of a Tourism Training Academy, co-financed by both groups, which will develop local talent to support the sector’s upgrade.
Unwavering confidence in Morocco’s tourism appeal
This renewed partnership follows a restructuring of the capital relationship between Accor and Risma from 2023. The collaboration now emphasizes shared growth, with greater use of franchising to accelerate hotel expansion across Morocco.
“We confirm our confidence in Morocco’s tourism potential,” said Sébastien Bazin. “Through these projects, we are committed to investing in the country, supporting economic growth, and developing local talent. Our strengthened partnership with Risma demonstrates that Morocco remains a strategic destination for Accor.”
Risma Chairman Azeddine Guessous highlighted the importance of the new initiatives, particularly the shift to franchising and the creation of the Training Academy. “These steps are crucial for the sector’s future. They will enable us to innovate, grow, and train for excellence while contributing tangibly to the development of national tourism,” he said.
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group present in more than 110 countries with over 5,800 hotels, 10,000 bars and restaurants, wellness facilities, and flexible workspaces, continues to combine luxury, economy, and lifestyle brands—including Ennismore—within its diverse hospitality ecosystem.
The acceleration of these projects is also seen in the context of Morocco preparing to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, an event expected to boost international tourism and further position the North African country as a global hospitality hub.
Morocco welcomed 4.3 million tourists during the first quarter of 2026, a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy.
The ministry said that March alone saw around 1.6 million visitors, a sharp 18% rise compared to March 2025.
