By Simon Asare, GNA
Accra, Oct. 20, GNA – Morocco is positioning itself as a major destination for hospitality and real estate investment as the North African country accelerates tourism and infrastructure development ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Global hotel brands, investors, development finance institutions, tourism officials and local operators are expected to meet in Casablanca on November 26 for the third annual Morocco Showcase organised by API Events.
The event would focus on investment opportunities across hospitality, mixed-use developments, commercial real estate and tourism as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco’s tourism development agency, Société Marocaine d’Ingénierie Touristique (SMIT), is the institutional investment partner for the event.
The country’s Tourism Ministry plans to add 60,000 hotel beds before the World Cup, while international hotel groups are expanding their presence in the market.
Radisson Hotel Group, which currently has 11 hotels in Morocco, plans to increase its portfolio to 30 by 2030.
Mr Erwan Garnier, Associate Vice President for Development, Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group, said Morocco offered significant opportunities for hotel development due to infrastructure investment and the country’s ambition to expand its tourism sector.
“Radisson Hotel Group is working with owners to identify the right brand and operating model for each location, from urban business hubs to established leisure destinations,” he said.
“As preparations for the FIFA World Cup gather pace, the opportunity is to create hotels with lasting commercial potential.”
Mr Garnier said the Morocco Showcase would enable investors, developers and operators to explore partnerships and advance projects.
According to W Hospitality Group’s 2026 Hotel Chain Development Pipelines in Africa report, Morocco ranks second on the continent, with 75 hotels comprising 10,606 rooms in the development pipeline.
About 70 per cent of the rooms are expected to open in 2026 and 2027.
Mr David Desta, Vice President, Hotels and Hospitality, Africa, at JLL, said strong visitor demand, improved air connectivity, government-backed tourism initiatives and the expansion of international hotel brands were sustaining investor confidence in Morocco.
He said investment interest was expected to remain strong across hospitality, mixed-use and other real estate sectors, particularly in Casablanca and Marrakech.
The country’s hospitality sector has also recorded major transactions since 2025, with Casablanca-listed owner and operator Risma completing acquisitions involving the Tangier Corniche plot and CMG, owner of Radisson Blu Marrakech Carré Eden and its adjoining mall, valued at $67 million.
Risma also completed the $46 million sale of Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche to Pickalbatros and strengthened its partnership with Accor in April for hotel renovation and repositioning as well as the Tangier Corniche development.
Morocco’s capital markets have also expanded, with the Casablanca Stock Exchange capitalised at more than MAD1 trillion, approximately $103 billion.
The Exchange welcomed its 80th listing in December 2025 and launched a futures market and clearing house in April 2026.
Mr Murray Anderson, Commercial Director of API Events, said increasing investment from sovereign wealth funds and development finance institutions demonstrated growing international confidence in Morocco’s hospitality and infrastructure sectors.
“We’re witnessing an unprecedented commitment of global capital, from the likes of GCC sovereign wealth funds and DFIs, into Morocco’s hospitality and infrastructure growth ambitions,” he said.
The November 26 conference at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca will feature discussions on hotel performance, investment structures, tourism development, mixed-use projects, logistics, commercial property and opportunities in Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech and Rabat.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare
Email: [email protected]