DR ‹ › Morocco is planning to expand its hotel capacity by 20% ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup through a $4 billion investment plan. The program aims to add 25,000 hotel rooms across 700 projects in the country's main cities, according to Bloomberg. Citing Imad Barrakad, head of the Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT), the initiative is described as «one of the most significant expansions ever undertaken in the kingdom». According to him, the program will be largely driven by domestic capital, with Moroccan investors financing around 75% of the projects. International hotel brands are expected to manage at least 15% of the new capacity. Barrakad noted that the ongoing conflict in Iran has had no direct impact on Morocco's tourism investment plans, highlighting the country's geographical distance from the Persian Gulf. He acknowledged, however, that the broader geopolitical context could increase construction and operating costs or slow investment flows. Still, he stressed a strategic shift in Morocco's tourism model, moving away from a volume-based approach toward one focused on «quality and impact», with the goal of attracting long-term investors aligned with the country's development vision. For the record, Morocco welcomed nearly 20 million visitors in 2025, generating about $14.8 billion in revenues. The country is counting on the global visibility of the 2030 World Cup to further boost arrivals, while continuing major infrastructure investments.
