Spanish multinational hotel company Barcelo will strengthen its presence in Morocco in preparation for the 2030 World Cup through significant investments in the expansion and modernization of its hotel facilities, according to its regional director, Enrique Acrich Ecker. In an interview with the Spanish newspaper, Acrich Ecker stated that Morocco is now Barcelo's primary country of investment, surpassing even Mexico, its historically largest international market. He noted that the group plans to increase the number of rooms to 600 across three properties in Casablanca, including the Farah Hotel, which will undergo a complete renovation over a one-year period. He emphasized that this expansion is part of the group's strategy to support the development of the Moroccan tourism sector in preparation for the 2030 World Cup. He explained that Casablanca is a strategic hub for tourism and the country's economy, benefiting from a privileged geographical location, an airport that meets international standards, and enhanced rail connectivity through the high-speed line (Buraq), which will also connect Marrakech and Agadir. The construction of a future large stadium in Benslimane and other infrastructure projects planned to improve connectivity to the metropolis will also contribute to enhancing Casablanca's tourism appeal, Barcelo's regional director added. He noted that the group, which already has six properties in the Kingdom, is counting on a diversified offering combining business, cultural, and leisure tourism to meet the growing demand in the run-up to the 2030 World Cup. Since settling in Morocco in 2006, Barcelo has invested more than 150 million euros with its Moroccan partners in the Kingdom.
